Dear Aaron,

Happy Birthday not-so-little brother! 

You did it! You turned 16!

Aaron, I love you.  You are great.  You are the smartest, coolest, awesomest, cleverest person I know.  I've never met anyone who can match you in creativity (I mean, you build working suspension bridges out of popsicle sticks and acoustically correct amphitheaters out of legos, for heaven's sake!), but you're also kind and spiritual.  Sadly, I haven't been home for most of your formative years, so mostly I remember you like this:

aaand this:

and sometimes this: 

but mostly this:

In the back of my mind, though, I know that you've gone and growed up on me since I've been away, and now you're several inches taller than me, and you look like a MAN! 

And you're so handsome!! My goodness! 

Anyways....Aaron, I'm so proud of you--I'm proud of the man you're becoming, and I'm proud to call you my brother! I'm so glad we're part of the same family! 

I love you buddy!