As someone who grew up with more than one sibling, it's such an oddity to see you're brothers and sister grow up. When I went to college, I really started to notice the natural aging and attitude changes that occur when you leave adolescence behind and grasp the reins of adulthood.

You notice growth spurts and the absurd fashion choices your brothers try to pass off as "cool." The evolution of hair styles is unmatched - from floppy curls, to wannabe Beatles, from botched bob's to crooked "DIY" bangs. But, the most important thing you begin to notice is the persistence and grace your siblings acquire as they figure out who they are.

I have had the pleasure of growing up in what one might call a military family. My great grandfathers served, my grandfather served, my dad served, my aunt serves, my brother serves, and now my little sister serves. It takes a specific kind of individual to serve our country. It takes a person willing to protect all persons in this country regardless of race, ethnicity, religious beliefs, cultural beliefs, gender identity, etc. It takes a person who recognizes all human dignity and vows to protect the rights of those individuals who reside in this country.

I am proud to even know these individuals, let alone call them my flesh and blood. And Monday afternoon, my pride soured as I watched my baby sister hop on the bus to Navy bootcamp.

She is going to be a fierce sailor. Her story has definitely had some bumps in the road, and while it is not my place to tell her tale of persistence and drive, what I will say is this: it took 2 years of rejection for her to finally get the "okay" to serve our country.

Now, she is on the road to success, and I have no doubt that she will have a fruitful career ahead of her. I cannot wait to write to her every day. I can expel little spurts of written energy and hopefully make her days brighter as she makes her way through many trials and tribulations.

I'm looking forward to watching her and other members in my family flourish in the next few years. It has already been quite the year for me thus far. I'm having a blast just living life to the fullest as best I can.

Every year, on New Years, I verbally state, "this is my year." And each and every year, I find myself disappointed in myself and the way that life seems to take me 2 steps backward.

At this point in my life, I feel as if I'm finally in the right place at the right time. Things have been proceeding smoothly for the time being, and I'm so excited to see how this year plays out.

It's also a joy to have someone by my side through the good and the bad times, because we all know that there are always obstacles to keep us on our toes in this great adventure called "life." As always, coffee gets me through it all, and while coffee most certainly succeeds at keeping me bright eyed and bushy tailed, it failed at getting me to Ohio in a timely manner ... but that's a story for another time.