Growing up I constantly picked on you. I hated you for being the baby of the family. You ‘borrowed’ my things all of the time and would return them damaged. You wanted to watch Scooby Doo while I wanted to watch Winnie the Pooh. We fought all the time verbally and physically. I can’t even count the number of times I’ve slugged you in the arm and then bribed you with toys so you wouldn’t tattle to Mom. We may not have always gotten along the best, but we still couldn’t be any closer than we are now and there are a few things I’d like you to know.

First, you’re an annoying brat. We are two completely different people. You love talking to anyone and everyone whereas I’d rather ignore people and stay in my own little bubble. You like trying new things and I like to stick to what I already know. You copy everything that I do and never shut up. You always invite people over and somehow you have convinced me to go with you to certain things when I’m dead set on not going. When I’m home you don’t leave me alone and you always leave your things in my room. The thing I hate most though is that you smack your lips when you eat which is probably my biggest pet peeve. However, as annoying as you are, you are my favorite person to come home to (sorry Mom).

Know that I enjoy spending time with you. I know that I act like you’re the number one most annoying person in the world, but you fall just a little bit further down on that list. I’m the kind of person who likes being alone and who needs personal space. When I push you away, it’s not because I hate you and don’t want to spend time with you. I push you away because I just need a little time to myself. I live in a sorority house and have two roommates. I don’t get the chance to be alone often. I promise I’m not trying to be antisocial and I promise that I don’t hate you. I wish I could spend more time with you, but sometimes I just need an hour. I do enjoy hanging out with you playing Mario Kart or just creating stupid looking sims together.

I am proud of you. To me, you’ve always been a spoiled brat who didn’t have to work for anything. I always felt like things were just handed to you on a silver platter. However, you’ve really proven yourself. You have a job that you actually kind of enjoy. You earn the money that you receive. Sometimes you don’t spend that money too wisely and I still think you should just save it all, but hey, you’re still learning. I’m proud of you for doing so well in school. I was the first to go to college and I’m positive that you’re next. Don’t worry too much on if you’ll get accepted anywhere or not. You will. I’m proud of you for developing yourself as an actor and for staying involved in theatre. I love watching the shows that you’re in. It makes me wish I would’ve have taken the opportunity to participate in theatre sooner than when I did. You’ve done good kid.

You will be fine. I was once a teenager. I remember what it feels like to be in high school and to feel like everything is going wrong and the world is crumbling at your feet. I know that your emotions fly all over the place. I know that you’re angry and upset a lot. I promise that you’ll make it through. The world isn’t crumbling and not everything is going wrong. You may not feel like you have many people on your side, but I promise that I’m in your corner every time. I’m right beside you every step of the way helping you throw punches at the challenges in your life. You can always call me or shoot me a text. I may not answer right away, but you’re always allowed to rant to me in a voicemail or a text message. I may give you terrible advice, but I’m a good listener anyway and I’ll always hear you out. Years from now you’ll look back on your teenage years and wonder who the hell you even were.

Last but not least, I love you. I don’t act like it all the time, but I promise I do. I’ve gotten on your nerves, beat you up, and stolen your things, but I guarantee that if anyone else were to do those things I’d be ready to beat them up too. I can’t even imagine what I would do if anything were to happen to you. I can’t goof off with people the same way that I can with you. Your smile makes me smile and your goofy laugh brightens my day. I might tease you and give you hell, but I care about you more than anyone else. I always have and I always will.