My little brother graduated from Cherry Creek High School

My brother graduated from high school this week. I can’t believe it.

First, he graduated from the same high school that I attended four years ago. Four years ago, I sat in the same chairs on the Stutler Bowl stadium. I wore the same robe, the same tassel. I walked the same walk to get my high school diploma from Cherry Creek High School.

Now, it’s my little brother’s turn.

We used to hate each other. I know, I know, all brothers and sisters go through a fighting phase. But this was different. We were at each other’s throat. Every second we spent in the same room was kicking, screaming, fighting, yelling, biting, scratching or pulling each other’s hair. There was actually a time when it got so bad, I considered switching nights with my divorced parents so we would never see each other.

When I moved out to Boulder to go to CU, everything changed. Now, my brother is one of my best friends. We have gotten closer over the past four years; especially this past year as we were both seniors.

I have watched my brother grow from an obnoxious little kid to a compassionate young man. (Ok, so he’s still a bit obnoxious). He makes smart decisions, he thinks of the consequences of his actions, he sets his priorities (for the most part), he considers how his decisions affect other people and he’s genuinely fun to be around.

My brother is following in my footsteps and attending the University of Colorado in the fall. He got right into the business school as a Freshman, which is an admirable feat. I am convinced he will succeed and continue accomplishing great things.

It just feels weird. There’s no other word that explains how it feels other than: weird. It was weird going to Creek and watching my little brother switch his tassel from the right to the left signifying the completion of high school. It’s weird to think about how he is living in the same dorm I lived in when I was a freshman at CU. It’s weird realizing that he’s going to be in college – he’s going to be a college guy. He’s going to be faced with so many decisions and hardships and exciting new experiences. It’s weird that he’s attending my alma mater. And I won’t be there. Boulder has been “my town” for the past four years, and now it’s his.

It’s just weird.

But, I am so proud.

I am so proud of the person he has become. I truly can’t wait to stay in college vicariously through him.

I cherish how close we’ve gotten, and I know we will get even closer as we both grow.