Dear little one,

The one who I get annoyed beyond measure with. The one who makes me laugh or laugh with. The one who gets me in trouble every so often. The one who still refuses to believe I am the better sibling.

I know I may not show it, or say it as much as I should, but I love you. And believe it or not, I am going to miss you so much. It is true when they say you don't know what you have until it's gone. I know I'll be the one going away, but not having you around all the time will be so different. And I'm sorry I didn't cherish our company the way it deserved.

Remember when we would fight over the front seat when you finally got old enough to sit in it? Or complain about each other's music tastes and refuse to change the song? The nights we spent sleeping in each other's rooms and have mom come in to tell us to go to sleep? Who will take the blame for you and let you get away with it? What about the play-fights that always ended up with someone in tears, whether it was from over-tickling or throwing fists? Or borrow each other's clothes and never give them back?

Growing up wouldn't have been the same without you, and you have taught me a lot more than you think. So thank you, for being my younger sibling. But most importantly thank you for becoming my best friend. Thank you for all the times you've been patient with me when mom and dad dragged you around to watch all of my soccer games or dance recitals. Thank you for putting up with me when I'd be bossy, like making you take the Barbie car even though I was the girl. Thank you for always making me laugh and making the family smile more. I'm sorry if I ever made you feel small, or any less of a priority or inferior. As much as I will try to argue I am the better sibling or the family favorite, there is no other sibling like you. You are one-of-a-kind and I would not trade you for the world. I may have wanted to trade you for a puppy, or another baby that was the gender of my choice but thank you for being there every step of the way.

You've watched me grow up, achieve accomplishments, be scolded, go out, and make mistakes. I hope you have learned from them. I hope you know that I am always a phone call away if you need me. Let me be that cool older sibling that is there for you and can keep all the secrets mom and dad aren't supposed to know. I got your back. We've got each other.

You'll still always be the little baby sibling to me. That won't ever change. But as we grow older and now live farther apart, I only hope that distance will make the heart grow fonder. You may not miss me now, but it'll hit you. You're not gonna admit it, but I know you're gonna miss me anyway. I'll miss you too, buddy. Be good. Keep mom and dad young. Hold onto your youth and don't grow up too fast.

Love,

Your older (and cooler) sibling.