Dear Little Brother,

You’re going to be finishing up high school soon and going to college and I am so proud of you, and I am excited to see where this next chapter takes you. I just wanted to stop by and tell you how great it was to be able to grow up with you. You’ve been my best friend ever since you were born. I can always count on you to run errands with me so I don’t have to be alone, or stay up late watching movies with me until you eventually pass out on the couch. We fight like crazy sometimes, but no matter how mad you make me or I make you, we always end up laughing about it later.

Getting to grow up so close in age to a sibling is something I am thankful for. You got to see all the weird sides of me, and I saw all the weird sides of you.

I am so protective over you, although you’re almost 6 inches taller than me now. I don’t want anyone to hurt you, and I want you to make the right decisions. It is hard for me to watch you get hurt because I have been through it already and I just want to be able to tell you what you need to hear, but I understand that you have to learn for yourself. This goes for pretty much everything. I boss you around a lot and tell you what to do, so thanks for dealing with that for the last 17 years.

Here are a few things I want you to know before you start this next journey of life.

Make the most of the time you have left in high school, really take in the last football game, and basketball game, the last everything because this year there is going to be a lot of those. Swim fast and put your all into every race. Look around and cherish the people who you are with because odds are after high school you all wont be together in the same place again.

When you go to college I hope you find your place, and make friends that will last you a lifetime. I hope you work hard and focus on the right things, but also go out and enjoy these years because you’ll never get them back. You are going to be completely on your own and independent for the first time in your whole life, and while that will be exciting, it will also be scary and overwhelming. You’ve always been braver than me so I know that you will do fine. Always remember to eat, brush your teeth, take a shower even if the bathrooms are gross, get up and go to class and pay attention while you are there. Stay on top of your school work and everything else will be fun.

You can always rely on me to help you with anything you need. And even if you don’t ask for my advice I will probably still give it to you knowing you wont listen.

We have a special relationship and I am glad that I know I can call you or FaceTime you to just talk about whatever.

And when you do start calling less, and don’t come home as often as I do, remember I am always on your team and will be rooting for you. I will be a phone call away if you need me, but it is more likely I'll be the one needing to hear from you.

So get out there and be an underwater archeologist, or live on a boat, or whatever other idea you have, because whatever you decide to do, I know it will make you happy. There is a saying that goes “Because I have a brother I will always have a friend” and because I have you, I know that’s true.