Dear Sister,

     I'm writing you this to express my gratitude for your life and the life you'll bring into this world. I feel as if my responsibility as your oldest brother has fallen incredibly short, and I will kick myself for the rest of my life for it. But, that'll be my own demon that you will never have to fight. I want you to know that I'm proud of you. You have turned into a beautiful, young woman (compared to the hellion you were as a baby). This baby is blessed to one day call you "mother."
     If I could give you some brotherly advice (and I hope it's not too late), it would be to trust in God in everything you do. Our parents' divorce separated all of us kids, and I know it had to be tough on you to not have mom and dad in the same house. But, sometimes, life has to go on. Imagine what life would be like if dad and mom never divorced. Compared to what life is today, that reality would've been worse.
     Jesus is the only man you'll ever fully be able to rely on. No other man will ever satisfy you like He can. You'll understand God's love for you once you're holding your little one next year; you'll see with God's eyes that He loved His son so much, that He sent him here to die for you. You were worth dying for. I know that your love and sacrifice will exemplify that of what Jesus did for us. Not that you'll physically die, but that spiritually, you'll learn that the best thing you can do is to lay down your life as a sacrifice for your child.
     I don't think any less of you. You are my sister. You were the one that your three brothers argued over. We used to argue over who would marry you (being young, we didn't know better). You are the apple of dad's eye. You're mom's joy. You are your brother's troublemaker (cuz we'll kill for you). I want you to know that you are loved and appreciated - not mocked or outcasted.
     I love you, Emily, and I cannot wait to meet that little nugget.


Love,
Soon-to-be uncle Cody