Nothing compares to a brother's love. There are judge free moments shared with a brother you can't with anyone else. You know how some moments from your childhood always stick out in your mind? I still remember the moment I met you in the hospital, and begging the doctor for mommy and brother to come home with me and daddy. That's when we started to become sidekicks, best friends…
Of course in every home video I am peeping my head in the camera, jealous of all the attention you are receiving. I had to ensure I told the camera in each shot 'my name is Lauren, I am in preschool, I am 3 years old, and this is my bubby, Seth'. I think from then on you realized to not pay any attention to my shenanigans and accept the fact your big sister was loud, annoying, and a tad bossy. The countless grins shown us from the beginning you were always going to have an easy-going, heartfelt personality.
Sooo… I'm sorry for the times I took you to the basement and forced you to wear Little Mermaid costumes and princess dresses. I'm sorry you knew my entire elementary school pom-pom dance routine and mom caught it all on film. I'm sorry you had to grow up watching Mary-Kate and Ashley movies. I'm sorry I ate the last popsicle when we both got our tonsils out. I'm sorry you had to wait until Noon every Christmas morning for me to finally wake up to see what Santa brought us… "SISSY! WAKE UP! WAKE UP!" I'm sorry for forcing you to watch High School Musical over and over again. I'm sorry for all the times you've 'loaned' me money in a store.
I may not have realized it then, but I would give anything to have just one of those moments back. Because through all those times we have spent together, I have drawn closer and closer to someone who will never let me down, who I know for a fact will always have my back in the most purest way.
As we grew older, I was always jealous of the fact you had some of the coolest summer birthdays. I just couldn't believe my brother got a huge chocolate cake on the beach in Hawaii, while my birthdays were spent at school….ugh. Never will I ever forget the billionth and one time we rode Splash Mountain at Disney World on your birthday until 3 AM, running around the park like we owned the place. I was so happy to see you happy. I always wanted time to stand still during summers at Magic Kingdom.
When I look back on our childhood, it was so blessed and so fun. It wasn't that I didn't have the guts to move away for college, the truth is, I loved my life too much already. Nothing could replace the love I already had in you, mom and dad, and nana and papaw. In my heart, I knew I wanted to be around to see my little brother grow up, and the truth is, our relationship started to grow the strongest when you reached high school. I've watched you since the age of 5 play every weekend in travel baseball, get your driver's license, put your all into high school golf, and go to prom. When I saw you in that tux for the first time, my heart dropped, because I realized you weren't my 'little' brother anymore. You were a man who was about to do manly things, like go away to college…
I just want to say, I am SO proud of you. You are smart, handsome, and have the absolute kindest heart of anyone I know. I am often frustrated at the fact you don't say an ill word to anyone, even if they have done you wrong. You are cursed with an amazing heart, which is not such a bad thing. I have always told mom you are going to make such a perfect husband someday, and if the girl treats you badly, I will just have to dig out my golf clubs. It doesn't take a genius to immediately figure out the genuine, compassionate, Christian man you are. Even though you're my 'little' brother, you've been a role model and advice giver in my life many, many, many times. I admire you.
As I watched you apply to colleges, some near and some far, my heart became super sad. But I then realized the endless amount of potential you have. As a big sis I want to see you succeed in every aspect of your life, and I accepted God was leading you to this particular Christian college.
As you packed your things and started the journey to campus, I tried my best to hold back the tears. I was having flashbacks to when you were my counselor during boy trouble, my parent during a wrong decision, and a shoulder to lean on during hard times. We made a midnight taco bell run around 1,000 times, watched Full House episodes around 2,000 times, and got on each other's nerves around 3,000 times… and I wouldn't change a thing. I pray God continues to lead you to His purpose He has for your life. I love you with all my heart, and I ask you to promise me one thing: never replace your original sidekick.
Sis
