And I do not do well with change.
 

My brother, Taylor, who is only 18 months older than me is graduating. I cannot believe it. We attend a small private school and are only one grade apart which means our paths cross quite often each day at school.  Now, he is preparing to move on and leave me behind.  How did the time go by so fast?

 
It feels like it was just yesterday that we were both toddlers and Taylor had to try to stop me from eating my play-do. One day he ripped off all the heads of my Barbie dolls, which was really funny at the time, but made me cry later when I went to play with the headless Barbies. I remember the time my brother and I were running around the fireplace, and I pushed him accidentally into the fireplace. I still feel awful everytime I see the scar from the stitches on the back of his head (sorry Taylor, my bad).

When we were about 11 and 12, we would have intense water balloon fights, which he always ended up winning regardless of my great efforts. When he was 12, he persuaded me to “roast marshmallows” with him by placing a plastic bag of marshmallows on top of a lamp, and we nearly burnt the house down. We were not the average brother and sister. We rarely fought; we were friends. In public, I am quite shy. When I am with my brother, I am quite different, more myself. He, on the other hand, is really outgoing.

 The summer before seventh grade, I would pitch to him (always wearing a helmet for my protection) to improve his baseball. He taught me how to throw a football pretty well which was awesome. I loved to race him in the swimming pool. I am not so sure he liked it because he could never quite beat me in swimming (even to this day, lol).

 
When we started high school, I became even closer to him. We had German together for three years where he sat next to me. I take full credit for helping him achieve a B+ grade in the class. He is a very fun person, but at times too social. I helped him focus and forced him to study. We spent many late nights trying to master this difficult language.

 
Sometimes people would say to me, “You must hate having a class with your brother. I could not handle having a class with one of my siblings.” I would respond with, “Surprisingly, it’s a lot of fun.”  I just cannot imagine what it will be like when my brother is away at college, and I will be in high school without him. I will not see him in the hallway yelling my name out to embarrass me. I will not be able to get on him for not doing his homework or driving too fast. He is nice to me always; he is never mean to me.

I went to my first prom this year, and we both saved a dance for each other. It makes me sad to know he will not be at the school dances next year. I always take a picture with my brother before going to dances; it has become such a norm. Now I will not have my brother in my photos. I turned seventeen a couple weeks ago and my brother woke me up early to surprise me with a trip to Country Waffles for a birthday breakfast. I will always remember that breakfast.

 
I feel like my brother’s graduation will mark the end of our childhood and the beginning of adulthood for the both of us. Sure, he will still come visit me, but I will never be able to return to the days when my brother and I were mischievous little kids, partners in crime. We are not children anymore. The end of my junior year and Taylor’s senior year means that I have to start preparing for college, another chapter in my life filled with completely new people. I will inevitably forget half the people I was friends with in high school, but my brother will always be a part of my life.

My grandmother always told me, “You are my blood.” I never did understand what she meant by this, but now I realize that she meant that I am family and I am her first priority. I do not think I will ever have a friend that loves me as much as my brother does. If someone hurts me, he has my back. 

 
So, Taylor when you go to college, try not to get kicked out of class after only thirty seconds like last Wednesday. If you ever need help with homework, call me, or if you have girl issues call me, or if you need money, food or fashion advice, call me, or – Taylor, just call me…

– Danielle Douvikas