The Countdown is on. In two days, I get to see you, dressed in your camis, with your hair all buzzed off. I know you'll carry yourself different; you won't be the little boy that left thirteen weeks ago. You've grown... and I am so excited to meet my new Marine.

You just went through the hardest three months of your life. This past week, you went for 54 long hours of training in the field; you endured the Crucible. You were presented your Eagle, Globe and Anchor. You were no longer a recruit. You are a Marine.

I can't wait to see you, it has been all I have thought about for the last 12 weeks. Actually, I've been looking forward to seeing you again since you left on August 15th. I've been thinking about you every single day, praying you would find the strength inside to complete this goal, to accomplish your dream.

Well, you've done it. You reached for the stars and you grabbed the moon. You've become my hero, my inspiration, and my strength. Every day when I have to deal with the minor trials and tribulations that everyday college life presents, I take a deep breath and remind myself what you have been enduring. I push a little harder, and I don't take things for granted. You inspire me to reach for my dreams, and you have shown me how to actively pursue these dreams.

I can't even understand all of the emotions I am feeling right now; I'm anxious, happy, excited, overwhelmed, proud and so much more. When I see you walk out onto that parade deck on Parris Island and graduate; I don't think I will ever be more proud.

I've rooted you on for years, and I've thought about you every single day for these last thirteen weeks. You've done it. You've reached your dream. You are a United States Marine.

I'll see you soon, little brother.

With love,

Your proud, older sister.