Letter To My Brother on His 40th Birthday

Today is my big brother’s birthday…His 40th to be exact! Yes, there is almost 11 years between us.

Since he’s a person I don’t tell how much I care for him enough, I thought I would send him a letter to express my feelings. I’m much better with the written word than face-to-face. I suppose that’s why I blog 😀

I thought I would share my letter with you all to encourage you to write a letter to someone you care about but rarely take the time to share your feelings with them. Life is too short to not say what we truly feel, right?

Dear Derek,

I have never taken the time to write out, or tell you for that matter, how much you mean to me, so I thought your birthday would be the perfect excuse. I hope this letter brings a smile to your face.

Let’s start from the beginning. I know when I came along, it must have been beyond weird for you. You were 10 years old and it was you and Todd for so long and then BAM! mom’s having another {unexpected} baby.

But you never EVER made me feel like I was an unwanted part of the family. In fact, you made me feel the opposite.

I remember being a little girl and following you everywhere. Looking back, I think it’s pretty awesome you were never embarrassed of your annoying little sister and even held my pinky when we went to the store. You always defended me when I was helpless to Todd’s teasing. We all know I would’ve been heartbroken if he really did flush my hamster down the toilet like he said he was going to.

I am very thankful you helped fuel my passion for all types of music. I always enjoyed the sound of you playing Für Elise or Chopsticks on your piano, or listening to Metallica’s Enter Sandman in your blue Trans Am. When I rode with you in that car, I thought I was the coolest kid ever.

In fact, a smile comes to my face when I think about all the cars and jobs you had over the years…mowing the lawn for our elderly neighbor for a quarter at a time, being a pizza guy, selling Kirby Vacuums. Man! You had some crazy jobs.

It seems you have found your calling as a Detroit firefighter. I remember watching your initiation when I was just a teen and seeing the pride that beamed from your face. That was a day I was definitely very proud to call you my brother.

To this day, I am proud of the hard work you do to keep the people of Detroit safe. By doing so, you are setting an amazing example to not only your own sons, but to kids everywhere. You are the epitome of what every firefighter should be: Kind, brave, strong and selfless. I know this past year has been rough with budget cuts, pension scares and more, but I am confident you will find your way, no matter what the future holds.

Thank you for giving me the gift of two nephews. You are raising some mighty fine young men and I have loved watching them grow-up and look up to you, just as I always have. You are a great dad.

I have also enjoyed watching you as an uncle. You are fantastic with my girls and I love seeing Karina give you a big grin and Kinley tell me “That’s uncle Derek’s fire truck,” anytime we see an engine pass by. They are lucky to have such an awesome man as part of their life.

My brother was one of the first visitors after both of my girls were born, stopping by the hospital after fighting fires all night long.

Most importantly though, you have been a father figure where our own father hasn’t always filled that void for me. You have given me hope in what a great father can and should be, and for that, I am grateful.

I am lucky to have been born into a family with a great big brother who takes care of us all. Thank you for being you.

Hope your 40th year is your best year yet!

Love you.

xox,

Lauren

Who in your life do you look up to the most? Have you told them lately how much you care?