Dear Brother

violet d'art

You have always been there for me.

I remember when I was five and you were ten and we were expected to eat asparagus soup. When we were alone, you disappeared with your full bowl and you came back with it empty. You grabbed me by the hand and we snuck through the halls of our great grandmother's condo like foreign spies. We found the bathroom, you took my bowl, and poured the green liquid into the toilet and tried to flush it. Even though the toilet almost overflowed, you saved me from having to eat asparagus soup.

I remember in third grade, all of the eighth grade girls called me "Bert's little sister". Until my senior year, that was a common name I went by, but I didn't mind. I enjoyed it. I liked it when people associated me with you. It made me proud. When I went to college, I was sad there was no one there to call me by it.

I remember in tenth grade when I didn't feel very pretty and I sat in your car, in your friend's driveway crying. I felt like I didn't have a friend in the world and I wasn't too excited about living in it. Not only did you encourage me by telling me all the wonderful things you thought of me, but reminded me that I'm a princess, a daughter of the Most High.

I remember senior year when I had bruised nails during the Nutcracker. You sat with me, and helped me wrap my feet, and let me cry on your shoulder when the pain was too much. Somebody said you were neglecting your backstage duties, but you said taking care of your sister was more important.

I remember that Summer we lived at the beach, just the two of us. It had been a rough year and I wasn't sure where life was going. I wasn't excited about the upcoming year either, and I was scared. Watching you care for those kids' hearts that we were ministering to, after your own heart had been broken, inspired me. You are so strong. You reminded me that life is full of seasons. That particular Summer is one of my favorite seasons.

I remember you driving to Raleigh every week to have dinner with me. You'd have three, twenty page papers to write and eight books to read, but you still wanted to have dinner. We talked about everything. What was going right, what was going wrong, and what we hoped for. Our chatter flowed seamlessly and we spoke to one another like the old friends we had become.

I remember when you brought home this new girl. I was nervous because I knew you loved her, and I had hated every other girl you brought home. I didn't want to hate this one. Once I saw the way you looked at one another, my nerves settled. It was as if you'd known each other for centuries. She was wonderful, and I was happy for you.

These aren't all my memories of you; they would take up several volumes. They don't end here, either. I cannot wait to see what the future brings for you, your beautiful wife, and us all. I'm excited to learn our new roles, and see where we go from here. This isn't the end of the road for us, but a new chapter.

I love you big brother, and I am so proud to be "Bert's little sister." I wouldn't have it any other way. Happy wedding day.

Love, Alli