To My Younger Brother's First Girlfriend,

I don't care how old my brother gets, he will always be my baby brother, and I will always be his overprotective, older sister. So please understand that I will not stop hovering and worrying while you are in a relationship. It's not that I don't like you. I think you're really sweet, pretty and nice. But I also know that you will more than likely be my brother's first heartbreak. No older sister wants to see her brother's heart broken. With that said, I'm sure you'll understand where I'm coming from when you read the rest of this letter.

The day my brother was born was one of the most bittersweet days of my life. I was happy to have a new friend and someone to blame when I got in trouble, but I was worried about the responsibilities that come with being an older sister. I told myself I'm the only one who's allowed to hurt my baby brother and I have to be the one to protect him in the future.

As we grew up, we got extremely close. There is nothing I wouldn't do for my brother and I don't think that there's anything that he wouldn't do for me. I know he looks up to me, but I learn a ton from him on a daily basis. He is intelligent, sarcastic and extremely talented. He can take a joke, but I can always expect him to have the best possible comeback.

I see all of the good in him and, as much as he may get on my nerves, there's not many bad things to point out about him. You picked someone special by dating him, and you are one lucky girl. That's why I am acting like the annoying, older sister that likes to embarrass him in front of you. It's all a test; if you're willing to put up with me, then I know that you're good for him. I hope you can understand his sarcastic sense of humor and don't take his jokes too seriously. I hope that you don't make fun of him too much for not knowing how to cook. I pray that you don't try to change him, and only encourage him to be the best person he can be. And when you find a "flaw" in his personality please remember that nobody is perfect and try not to be too harsh about whatever it is. He loves you and would take anything you say to heart.

You are young and "in love," and I really think you're good for my brother. Due to your age the odds of you being together forever are slim, so if you ever decide to break up please let him down easy. He genuinely cares about you and it would tear him apart if you broke his heart. Remind him that love works in mysterious ways, because for some reason he won't listen to me when I try talking to him about dating and heartbreak.

I hope you two do work out. Treat my brother right because I know he will always treat you right.

Love,
A Protective Older Sister