Being a big sister is probably one of favorite things in life. I have loved it since the I moment found out I was gonna have a younger sibling. I don't think a four year old has ever been so excited, I may have whined and screamed when I walked into the hospital room and found a boy not a girl, but I wouldn't change it for the world.

My little brother is almost 16 years old and I have no idea where the time went. I think yesterday I was making him sit in front of me with the Beanie Babies and Webkinz and pretending to be their teacher, but somehow he is about to be a junior in high school. He's probably outgrown the "little" title too because he towers over me at 6-foot-1 and almost 200 pounds. But just because he looks nothing like he used to, doesn't mean is soul has changed.

He has a the sweetest, biggest heart of anyone I know. He is always first to give and make sure everyone else has what they want and need before himself. He protects me and stands up for me no matter who or what is on the other side. He knows how to make me laugh even when I'm in the worst of moods. He makes me feel like the little kids we were together. I could go on and on, but moral of the story is, he freakin' rocks. I'm not saying we don't bicker and fight, because we do; sometimes over the most ridiculous things. But we always find a way to make the most of it when we are together, no matter what we get to do.

Right now he is serving for a week on a mission trip and oh yeah, this is the third time he has done it and he is not even 16! He is the most giving, genuine person I know. He hates to see people hurting, whether it's me, his best friend, someone he just met or a total stranger, he never hesitates to reach out and lend a hand, dollar, time or anything else, whatever it takes. He makes me want to be a better person. Seeing the way he loves, talks, works and just lives his life makes me want to improve and change to the person he knows and sees me as. It sounds bizarre because he's still young, but he works hard at everything he does. He is busier than my older brother and I were combined and somehow he manages it all. He follows his heart and does anything he sets his mind too, because he's capable of it all. Just thinking about how great he is at living life, and taking risks and being himself makes me smile. I don't know anybody else that is more confident and just themselves all the time, no matter who or what life brings to them.

Even though we don't see each other every day or week anymore, our relationship hasn't changed, if anything it's only grown stronger. He, more than anyone, has the ability to make me be my true self, even when I'm struggling to find it. This kid just makes me so stinkin' proud to be his big sister every single day and I can not stress that I enough. So just in case I haven't told enough lately, thank you. For being the little brother I didn't ask for, but better than I could have imagined. Love you bro, you will always be my little brother, no matter how much taller than me you get.