I know that from the day you found I out I was going to be born that you wanted me to be a boy and that you weren't thrilled I turned out to be a girl. However, you did your best to make sure I wasn't a girly girl, you did your best to teach me how to be tough, and how to play like a boy. I didn't know at the time that the lessons you taught me would stick with me throughout my whole life but they have, and for that I'll always be thankful.

Dear Older Brother,

There were many days where I annoyed you, where you did not want your pesky, little sister following you around, but you put up with me anyway (or you did your best to ignore me). You made it clear that you would have loved to have a little brother instead of a little sister, but regardless you decided to teach me the same things you would have taught a little brother. You gave me crap when I cried, and told me to suck it up (if I really did seem hurt you made sure I was okay). You taught me all about your favorite sports, how to play them and all the fundamental rules. You taught me how to play video games and even would let me play against you when your friends weren't around. You basically taught me how to be a boy. However, you also taught me that there was nothing wrong with being a girl and that a girl can be just as tough, just as strong, as any boy.

There were many days where we did not get along, that we would fight, but we always eventually made up. You were always there to make me laugh when I needed it the most. One of the best things you taught me was how to laugh at myself, to not overreact and just see the funny side of things even when I was upset. When I succeeded at beating you in a game, which rarely happened, you would tell me good job, but you never handed my accomplishments to me easily. I always had to work for them.

You told me you were teaching me about sports and how to play video games so I could impress guys when I got older, but looking back I think you did actually sometimes like spending time with me, even if you would never admit it. Between the games we would play, and all the times you teased me, you taught me to be tough, you taught me to keep trying even when things were hard, and you taught me to not give up without a fight.

When I was younger, I thought that you just challenged me on things because for your own amusement, now I see that you were looking out for me. You were teaching me strength, some stubbornness, to work hard, and to believe in myself. I realize now that you taught me all these things for the times you wouldn't be around. You knew one day I would grow up and that people in the real world are not always very nice. You wanted to make sure I could stand up for myself if I needed to, as well as be humble when things did go my way, and when they did not.

Thank you for letting that pesky, little sister hang around you all those years, it made a world of a difference in my life and you will always be one of my best teachers, as well as the best older brother a girl could ever ask for.

Love,
Your little sister