Dear Little Brother,

I pray for you every day. I pray for you every day because I want the whole entire world for you. But I pray for you every day because I want you to be stronger with integrity than you are physically strong. I pray for you every day because I want you to be a man of God. I want for you so badly to have so much love in your heart that it could drown out a room. With that said, I want you to have so much love in your heart that you don't feel the need to fill up a room. I pray that you find confidence in being genuine more than you do in being the star of the football team. I hope that your means to be the best directly reflects to the way you have compassion for the world.

I pray that you take credit for your actions. I pray that you would never dismiss another person. I hope that you respect the people who don't look like you, don't agree with you and are weaker than you. I want you to not only have integrity but sincerity. I hope that when you make a decision, you take responsibility for it. I pray you never make somebody feel small so that you might feel big. I hope you never degrade somebody because they are vulnerable.

I hope you respect women. I really and truly hope you respect the people who bring life into this world.

I hope you aren’t entitled.

I hope that you aren’t entitled because of your ability to perform in a sport or academic.

I hope that you would never blame a culture or generation for your actions.

I hope that you are a man of God.

With that said, I go to the simpler things. I wish that you will open the door for anyone who’s walking by. I hope you always pay for dinner. I hope you give more than you take and I hope you always smile for the camera. I hope you find a passion for something and when you do, you give it everything you’ve got. I hope you feel happiness from the simplest of things and I wish you the best sunsets in the world.

I hope you work in the restaurant business in high school, it will teach you to appreciate every thing you have. Take Spanish, it's easier than sign language. Don't argue about curfew, Mom will never change it no matter how many times you ask. Listen to your teachers' advice, they're pretty smart. Don't "DM" a girl, it isn't polite, formally ask her on a date. Always offer your last piece of gum and try to shake hands with every person you meet. Don't make anybody feel dumb for having a different opinion than yours and always say please and thank you.

Amount your popularity to your heart and if it becomes for other reasons, change your ways. Stand up for yourself, but always listen to both sides. Be the guy you want your future daughter to date and always remember that flowers go a long way.

With all of this said, make sure you hang out with me when I come home from college because I want to buy you an ice cream and hear about your day. I'm sorry if I don't tell you this enough, but you're my favorite boy in the whole entire world. I pray for you and the type of man you'll be, so make me proud.

Love,

Me