Dear Little Brothers,

College is hard. Classes keep getting more difficult as the year goes on, there are more late nights at the library, and the stress is real. I miss the carefree days at home with you guys. I miss the adventures we used to take to the beach, or the zoo, or the mall. I miss playing video games in our pajamas on the couch. I miss tucking you in at night. I miss you just as much as I am sure that you miss me, but I can't come home. Not yet, at least.

I have a lot of work to do here at FSU. I can't live with mom and dad forever. I have to learn about the world and discover all that is has to offer me. I couldn't find all of that out while at home. I want to contribute to this world and make a difference. School allows me to broaden my mind and see the things that I can do to be an active member of society. It helps me to find my passions in life and gives me the tool necessary to pursue those passions.

I want to be your role model and show you that you can do anything you set your mind to. Be bold, be brave, be determined, and be compassionate. At the ripe old ages of nine and 10, you may not feel that you can be brave, and stand up to that bully, or be determined to keeping up your grades, but I am here to tell you that you can! You are my brothers and we share the same blood. If I can do it, you can do it—possibly even better than me. I may come across as annoying at times, telling you what to do or what not to do when it comes to school or your social lives, but I only do it because I don’t want you to make the same mistakes that I did. Trust me, I heard it nonstop from mom and dad, and their advice worked for the most part. I will try to be gentler about it, though.

I hate that I won’t be there to see you boys grow up. It seems that every time I come home you’ve grown an inch and act more mature. Seeing videos and photos of you as little kids makes me teary eyed. You are both getting so big! Although I would love to see you every day, I do feel that absence makes the heart grow fonder. Coming home after a long stay at school and getting your big bear hugs is the absolute best thing in the world. I did not realize how much you two impacted my life until you weren’t with me anymore.

Being away from you has made me realize that I shouldn’t take life for granted. I need to cherish every moment that we have together. That is what life is really about; the little moments that live on forever. When I come back for breaks I will always strive to continue to make memories with both of you, whether they be big adventures or playing a new video game on the Wii U. Just because I am gone now doesn’t mean you’ve lost me forever. I will always be there for you. No matter what.