Dear Baby Brother,

Dear baby brother,

Today, you'll pack up your car and head to school to start a new chapter of your life.

It's not fair, really, how fast you grew up. I remember how excited I was when I got to hold you for the first time. The doctors suited me up like I was one of them, and I was so excited to meet you!

Despite our age gap, we became so close, so quickly. I wanted to protect you. I may have only just turned 6, but I knew that I would do anything for you at that young age.

I don't remember us having one of those relationships where we fought much. Sure, we had our days, but who didn't? I always remember being so excited when we got to spend time together.

Which still holds true to this day, by the way.

I remember the first time we moved, and we both had to go to a different school. I remember sitting in Nanny and Buddy's bedroom upstairs as I reminded you everything would be alright and that one day, you wouldn't even remember the anxiety you felt before that first day. You'd make fast friends, because you were such an awesome kid. That's exactly what happened.

Fast forward a few years and you moved back to your old school. You picked up right where you left off. Entering high school as a Freshman, drumsticks in hand, and deciding to give band class a try.

You were a natural. The whole family would come to your concert nights and leave feeling inspired. You were growing in your talents SO quickly!

It's been so fun to do life together and to be there for each other through literally everything. The worst of the worst and the best of the best.

You were there after Caleb and I got engaged on the beach...

and you were there to watch me say I do...

I've watched you grow up and get your license...

I've watched dozens of concerts you've participated in...

I've watched you lead your school as the Captain through the streets of Downtown celebrating our city...

I've watched you get ready for your first Prom...

We've been on countless vacations together... staying up way too late paying video games and eating as many crab legs as we could...

I even watched as you gave our Dad the sweetest best man speech...

Getting to watch you walk across that stage to receive your diploma was also one of the coolest things ever.

But I think my favorite part of all your life has been watching you grow in your relationship with The Lord.

Brandon, when this world fails you (and it will), remember to stay strong, and push forward. My prayer for you is that you would hang on when things get tough. Pray every single day. Give thanks for the little things like hot water, a car to drive, and food every morning. Be the guy who introduces himself to the kid who looks lonely. Pay it forward. Write letters just because. Study hard. Make memories. BE YOU! Because truly, you're amazing.

I write this with a lump in my throat because you're officially old enough to be on your own. It scares me a little, but I'm so excited for you. Brandon you have SO much ahead of you and I pray that you remember you potential every single day. Always know that Caleb and I are here for you, no matter what.

We're so thrilled for you! Enjoy this new adventure, and have fun, because it'll go by fast! I can promise you that.

I love you more than you know, Bran!

Kayla

A hilarious blast through the past

I was looking at some old photos last night...and it really hit me how long Caleb and I have been together. This summer will be 6 years of awesomeness together ;) but our 2nd wedding anniversary is just days away and its so funny to look back on old photos. We've come so far in these few years and I'm so thankful for the husband I have. In honor of #throwbackthursday, I thought I'd share some of my favorite moments from the past 6ish years with this hunk...

The first time this cute boy came on vacation with us -- it was such a blast. I don't think I've laughed so much in my life. Pretty sure this trip with my family solidified our relationship. My little cousins fell in love with him and my aunt literally told me I was never allowed to let go of this boy ;)

When we were home from college in the summer, a ton of us would go bowling...seriously, all the time. You can tell it was summer because Caleb always had a burnt face from those long days working at the golf club... ;)

This will always be one of my favorite shots of us. He surprised me with concert tickets for my 19th birthday and whenever a man wants to actually snap a few selfies, you don't question it. He kept snapping away and caught this sweet little moment...

Dinners at our favorite restaurant in college; Fiestaaaa!

an accidental head cut off shot turned into one of my favorites. We left campus to drive an hour to a carnival and had a blast breaking curfew ;)

One of my favorite RANDOM date nights of ours at college was driving to a local apple farm and finding...wait for it, a freaking HORSE.

"Junior/Senior" at COSI will always be a favorite night of ours!

but most of my memories from college include this boy and this tiny little love seat in his apartment. We watched many movies in here, had many heart-to-hearts, and just had a blast being together. Don't you love all the old school Picnik editing on all of these pictures?! ;)

I think reflecting on our past can be so good for us, and definitely entertaining. I hope you enjoyed some of our photos today, friends! ;) its almost the weekend!