this is my thanksgiving letter to you

I hope I've told you this. I know I've told you this. I know I'm sappy and  being too sugary can make us sick, but it's Thanksgiving, 2024, and our first one to say the least. I put a face to a name less than a year ago, met you in school just this school year and called you a brother one week ago- I can confidently say I have never met anybody like you.

Started music at age 5 and been playing for 12 years- pretty sure whatever sound you play is basically heaven at this point and I'm not religious (don't test me on that. I like my ears). You question your abilities but I have never heard anyone have the talent and skill that you do. I will say it's unique and you can dodge it with an eyebrow raise, but the creativity, smiles, and personal touch you put in are better than gold to making the sound and life you produce and the happiness you bring to so many people. The sound you bring to this house makes me smile every time, I can hear the joy when you laugh. Unfortunately I can't decide whether I like your practices or performances better because the you that shows up on untuned strings and fills rooms with laughter is pretty damn great. And I didn't mention your singing so if you want another paragraph hhhhhhhhh too bad I would never write that, omg who do you think I am (You are literally the most incredible singer. Sure you have some issues- so does everyone, it's okay. Sure you're learning. Yes your voice type is different from the rest and yes it doesn't always blend. I know you may not have warmed up yet. Might not be feeling to confident- none of these things take away from the fact it is still incredible. 99% of the time you put your best face forward and sound incredible. Breath support like that is insane! Your tone, quality, skill, knowledge- it's just insane. Always incredible).

That is you and your career and your job and your hobby- now it's time to talk about as a person because, like, it's the most important part and there is a reason you're like a brother to me. I don't know how many of your friends you feel like are your little sisters, but you're my only older brother. I have Eleanor- but she's something else and our sibling relationship is different from many (dw it's great). For a long time Elliot and Enoch were like my siblings and we basically lived in the same houses, but now we don't. Even so they've stuck with me and even though I don't talk to Elliot much we'll always be "the twins" and enoch will always be like a little brother. You, on the other hand- my first older brother. You have three years on me, three years of experiences and stuff that I don't have. You're more mature, you've dealt with more things- as a result you're a very grounding figure.

1. You are there for me whatever the heck is happening. Incredible. Not many people can do that for their friends, and that is something worth admiring.
2. You talk to me. You actively engage and I don't have to be the one to reach out every single time, which can get tiring. Makes me so happy!
3. I can list more, but the cool thing is, I don't have too, because you do these constantly, not just once. I can tell you things and you'll remember, boundaries you respect (Have I mentioned how awesome you are with my misophonia? That is practically the best thing ever), and all this is ALL THE TIME LIKE A GREAT HUMAN BEING

You're grounding- and you're also very chaotic. Only Enoch would mess around with blankets with me. You're now on that list. You make me feel so comfortable that I know I can tease you when I want to (and I hope you 100% know if you seriously tell me to stop I will very much stop) and we can laugh together so much it's so amazing and makes me feel great.

With you, silence isn't really awkward. Sometimes it is but much much less than other people. You get what makes me feel comfortable and you help without hestiation- and even if it's subtle, know that I really feel it and can get a lot of comfort from the things that you do to care about me. I want to be able to do that for you and I want to make sure you know that with absolute certainty- I 100% will be here for you.

I could go on. I get sappy a lot with you. There's a lot to say about you, and I think that's great. I could list every moment you made me smile even while I sigh, I could list every time you went out of your way to help someone- 

wait. I think I'm missing something? Oh, right-

Thank you, Sam.