The last month of your high school career will go by so quickly. Between prom, graduation rehearsal, and final exams you won’t even realize how close you are to creating a brand new life for yourself. And it’s been hard for me to realize how truly ready for that you are. Of course I get nervous for you- I’m your older sibling. Isn’t that my job, to worry about you making the right choices? Everything you’re experiencing, I want to share with you what I went through. I never want you to hurt, I never want you to make the same mistakes that I did. If I can make sure that everything runs smoothly for you in your transition to a new life, it would be a huge relief. But I also realize that this isn’t possible- because life is going to present you with a whole new set of challenges that I didn’t have to experience and you will have to navigate for yourself. And this can be scary, you might not want to go through it alone. So I hope you know that you can always talk to me about what’s going on. Sometimes Mom and Dad aren’t going to understand, or give you the ‘parenting’ perspective on something, but chances are, I’ll always be around to listen to you. I’m always a phone call or a text away, so don’t ever hesitate to pick up the phone.

I can’t wait to watch you cross that stage at graduation when they call your name and hand you the diploma that you worked toward for four years. I’m going to snap photos of your grinning face like that obnoxious soccer mom because I know you did the same thing for me even though you might not admit it. I can’t wait to listen to speakers at the podium tell you how far you’re going to go, even though I already know your potential. I want you to be excited, and nervous, and ready for a fresh start. And there will be points where things are going to be difficult, I won’t lie to you, but that’s a part of growing up. Dealing with hard situations will make you a better person, a wiser person, and I’ll be there to watch you grow. We can grow together, like we’ve been growing up side by side throughout all the years.

I had my first year of adventures in college, and I’ve told you stories upon stories about all the crazy things I’ve done. Now’s your opportunity, your chance to go out and see a little bit of the world and I better hear about all the things that you’re doing, people you’re meeting, and the places you’re going. In the words my favorite childhood Dr. Seuss book, “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who’ll decide where to go.”

Good luck, congratulations, and I’m so proud of you. Thanks for being the best (not so) little sibling that I could imagine, and I wish you nothing but the best in all you accomplish.