Belated birthday letter for your brother

Letter · Brother

This is your official, very late, extremely sorry birthday letter. I would like to point out that it is still technically your birthday month, which in my book makes this only slightly late. I suspect you will not accept that argument. In my defense, I remembered your birthday perfectly every year when Mom was reminding me. This year she trusted me to do it myself, and here we are. I have learned a valuable lesson about independence. Here is how I plan to make it up to you. One evening out, my treat. You choose the food, the drinks and the conversation topics, even if that means listening to your full analysis of last season. I will not check my phone. I will not complain. I may even let you win at pool. Jokes aside, you are a great brother, and I am lucky to have you. Happy belated birthday, bro. Your forgetful but devoted sibling,

Belated birthday · 158 words · 1 min read

Letter · Brother

Sorry this is late. I wanted to take the time to write something real, because I do not say often enough how much you have done for me. I think about the year everything went sideways for me, and how you were the one who called every few days just to check in. You never pushed, never lectured, never made me feel like a failure. You just made sure I knew someone was in my corner. I am not sure I would have come through it as well without you. You have done that kind of thing my whole life, quietly and without asking for anything back. Fixing my car. Helping me move. Driving across town at midnight because I sounded off on the phone. That is the kind of brother you are. So thank you. I hope your birthday was full of good people and good food, and I hope this year gives back to you some of what you give everyone else. With gratitude and love,

Belated birthday · 170 words · 1 min read

Letter · Brother

When I realized I had let your birthday pass, my mind went straight back to when we were kids. The two of us on the back steps eating popsicles, plotting adventures that never quite worked out, arguing about everything and then defending each other to anyone who dared to pick on us. We have come a long way since then. Different cities, different jobs, families of our own. But whenever we are together, we slip right back into the old rhythm, finishing each other's jokes and teasing each other mercilessly. That is a gift I do not take for granted. I am sorry I was not there on your birthday. You are part of nearly every story I tell about growing up, and you are still part of the best ones I am living now. Happy belated birthday, brother. Here is to many more years of being on each other's side. Always your sibling,

Belated birthday · 156 words · 1 min read