Letter To My Baby Brother

Dear Lil Bubba,

Today is Wednesday, January 21st and just ONE week from now we will be at the airport waiting to board a plane to come and see you FINALLY!! I feel like we have waited forever for this day, as I'm sure you feel like you've waited forever too. I just want you and everyone else to know how very proud I am of you! You are doing something that you really want to do and something that not alot of people could handle. You are in the second day of The Crucible and in less than 24 hours you will finally be a Marine, though you've been a Marine to me this whole time. I am sure you've been through some things that none of us can even imagine, and I admire you for that. Dad told me last night that if he could do The Crucible for you, he would. I was watching a video online earlier of recruits receiving their Medal, Anchor, and Globe emblems and I was filled with unbelievable pride in what you are doing. I know it will be an amazing feeling when tomorrow you finally receive that and are called a Marine for the first time by your DI's. I do have to admit that the day we dropped you off at the recruiting station I felt like my heart was broken into a million pieces, after we watched ya'll load up and leave for Houston, however with each letter and each phone call dad has received it get's put back together knowing that you're almost finished with this crazy ride called bootcamp. I just want you to know how proud of you that I am, and that I can't wait to see you in just 8 days!!

Love,
Your VERY proud big sis!!

**Please continue to say a prayer for Matt as he finishes up The Crucible tomorrow and pray for us to have safe flights (mom and Kim are leaving on an earlier flight & dad, melinda, brian, and I are leaving on a later flight).