First off, I want you to know that I appreciate you more than you think. There are times where I want to throw you across the room or tape your mouth shut with duct tape when you keep mocking me about something dumb I said, but I still wouldn't trade you for the world. I want you to know that being your older sibling is a blessing but sometimes it is really hard. I want to protect you from all the horror that is going on in the world; I want to protect you from the constant threats that encircle the reality of today, but I can't protect you from everything, no matter how hard I try. I know that in order for you to learn things, you need to learn them on your own. I can't just experience it and explain it to you, but expect to have a lot of advice thrown your way.

Being the oldest sibling can be frustrating at times. I'm the first one to get a driver's license which means helping our parents cart you guys around to practices, school, and other activities. I'm the one that gets tested with all the rules and expectations in the house and once that gets broken in, you have the ability to skirt by under them or have them change completely. It's also hard being the first one to enter middle school, high school, college and even the adult world with no one to aid them in the steps. I'm just kind of flying blind and on my own. As much as that is a struggle, it now gives me the ability to help you through it if you need it, because I know what it feels like to go through it alone and I don't want that to happen to you.

However, being the oldest sibling has its perks too. I can get all the cool things before you (and then be forced to share). I get a cell phone first (but when you get one you're younger than I was when I got one). But most importantly, I have people to hang out with. As much as you can be a pain, I wouldn't trade you for the world. The nights where we'd stay up and not tell our parents to play video games that we thought we'd conquer within one day. Being able to go on family vacations and have people around the same age to hang out with and go on roller coasters with. When I'm really upset I know I can trust your opinion and trust you to keep the secrets.

I've spent more than half my life looking out for you and making sure you don't do anything stupid and you can make it through life without being killed (because mom and dad will kill me if that happens). I just want you to know how grateful I am to have you and how much I love being your big sibling.