Kiley Wellendorf | News Co-Editor

My face was pressed up against the iPad screen, and I kept feeling like Mom would be upset that I wasn’t getting enough pictures. I could tell you were nervous by the way you plastered that little smirk you’ve always had across your face – but I knew you would never admit to it. Sitting by myself in the stands made me feel like the oldest person in the world, but somehow it transformed the way I saw you and even changed the way I saw myself. I am old; after you turned sixteen I would have never guessed that your eighteenth birthday would have come up so quickly. I could not have been more proud of you tonight and driving back home made me realize how special you are to me. Being a “role-model” was never something I was good at when we were younger, but I truly hope that I’ve taught you some things along the way. So, listen up, Ben(ny), you’ve only got one shot, and I know you won’t miss it. (Unless it’s a free-throw.)

01. Bright Lights – Matchbox Twenty
I never liked sports, nor did I ever try to participate, but you had no problem stealing the spotlight. You played every season, and I always found it amazing watching you put away one jersey in order to put on the next. Shivering outside during a misty-cold afternoon watching your Cougar/Cardinal football games or even sweating through my t-shirts in an old gym watching you play basketball were some of my favorite memories. I was invested, and I always told myself that I didn’t care even though I’d scream along with Mom and Dad whenever you did something during a game. Your sports gave me excuses to get away and give me t-shirt tans and memories that have never escaped my mind. I will always associate every sport with you and hope one day that my kids can hold the same amount of compassion and passion you share for the sports you’ve been involved with.

02. MakeDamnSure – Taking Back Sunday
Looking back on how we were growing up – I can’t even imagine how you were able to choose whose side you were on. I know we’ve talked about how you never went through a “rebellious” phase, but I don’t even want to know what it was like to watch it from another perspective. When we lived in our old house, I know that my music probably kept you up at night or the fights I’d cause made you sick to your stomach. You put up with so much and half of the time you’d stay awake listening to me cry about it on school nights when you’d really just want to go to bed. I miss the nights where my eyes would start to glaze over staring at the computer screen, only to be startled awake by you jerking the door to our bathroom open. You always had something exciting to say or you would just walk over to ask a question before going to bed every night. (I haven’t thought about that in forever, but I miss it so much.)

03. By The Way – Red Hot Chilli Peppers
Watching you fall in love was weird – let me tell you that. Maybe it was because I remember going through it, but it made me realize how much closer we really are in age. I never thought I’d be the one bribed by Mom to go check in the basement, and I never thought I’d have a girl to talk to while you suckered everyone into playing video games with you. But, you grew up. You went on dates, paid for meals, and drove around with your friends and girlfriend for hours. You bought presents, had dates for dances, and surprised me with stories or memories you had. I loved being the shoulder and loved hearing all of the stupid things you somehow got yourself invested in. I’m not sure if it’s a Wellendorf thing, but I think we both were blessed and cursed with the biggest hearts in the world. Watching you stand up for your friends or people you love made me so proud because it showed how much you truly do care. Just like I always tell you, though, high school is full of surprises and everyone you count on doesn’t always count on you. (You’ve never had problems with that though – surprise, surprise.)

04. No One’s Gonna Love You – Band of Horses
It was so weird watching you sit in the back of the mustang wave at the little kids just like I did. You didn’t cry your eyes out like a baby so props to you for handling it better than I had. I don’t think I’ve ever been more proud of you in my entire life, Ben. You’ve always been the tough, smart, funny and good kid. You somehow brush off the biggest things and can easily light up an entire room the moment you walk in. Even though you bug me so much when I don’t feel like laughing – you always find a way to make me laugh anyway. Isn’t it weird that we’re getting to the age where we feel guilty when we fight? All I know is that I can’t believe your Homecoming week is over, and I can’t even begin to process how crazy it is that you’ll be off to college next year. I just want to say that I love you, and I couldn’t be more proud to say that I look up to my little brother.

Graphic by Krystal Schulte