big brother.

Dear Tyler,

Happy 27th birthday! I hope it's been a great one. I just wanted to write you a little note letting you know how great I think you are, and how lucky I am to have you as my big brother.

Thank you for being one of the most loyal people I know. Growing up, I've watched you stick up for your friends, for your family members, and even for people you hardly knew. You keep secrets, and you never have anything bad to say about anyone. Those are qualities that I greatly admire. I remember once when one of your high school friends told me that you are an observer, and that's the truth. But it's that quality that allows people to know that you are trustworthy, and that's a pretty rare quality.

You are a great listener, and you understand and empathize with others. You pick up on what people are thinking, what they may be struggling with, or how they feel, and you have this incredible ability to relate to them. I remember when you came home on your weekend nights {I could always hear you from about a mile away when you drove that Jeep} and you would go straight to Mom and Dad's room to tell them what you did. I remember sneaking in and jumping up onto the bed so I could listen to your many social adventures. :) I couldn't wait to be as cool as you {I'm still working on it over here}. 

One of the greatest things you ever did to serve as an example to me was to serve a mission. I'm sure Mom never told you this {because I begged her not to}, but I cried every night for about a month after you left for Brazil. I didn't think it was fair that the people there got to keep you for two years. But once I saw the incredible change it made in your life, and the incredible change you made in the lives of people down there, I decided it was okay that they could have you for a little while. 

Thank you for being the oldest, because you were the guinea pig for Mom and Dad, and I wasn't. I think for that I'll always be indebted to you. :) I'm teasing, I'm pretty sure that you got away with a lot more than I ever did. 

I love you, Ty, and I'm so glad to have you as my brother. Having you here in Provo with me has been the biggest blessing. It's nice having family around. Just keep doing your best in everything you do, because it's nice to have an example in front of me of what I can be. Happy birthday!

Love,

Lex