My Marine.

Today was harder than I thought it would be.

After a huge, crazy goodbye party on Friday night (complete with lots of friends, a keg, and a Redbull car!) and a pay-per-view UFC fight on Saturday, we finally had to face the facts today. LP was leaving.

This morning, it hit me like a ton of bricks. My little brother was actually leaving for boot camp. He shaved his beard and I started crying.

Since I've been home from school, LP has been my hang-out buddy. While everyone else was at work or school, LP and I would watch TV and talk football. He always had a friend (or five) over and they constantly cycled in and out of our house like a cheap motel. Now, it's dead silent.

I've been asked a few times how I could be so close to my little brother. I never really know how to answer that question. I don't understand how anyone could NOT be close with LP. He is one of the most strikingly friendly, hilarious, handsome, and lovable people I have ever met.

He is quite the partier and ladies' man. It's no surprise that everyone wants to have him around to have a good time (which, of course, results in trouble on occasion). He playfully makes fun of me, he makes me laugh, and he hugs me when I have lost faith in all boys but him. He keeps me company, teaches me about video games, and makes me proud to be his sister every single day.

But this isn't new. He enlisted in the Marine Corps to make something of himself. To give himself a kick start. To give himself a future. To make himself into something great. He's always been great in my eyes.

It's funny - although he is three years younger than me, I've always had the feeling that somehow he was the one protecting me. Now, I'm sure of it.

I felt like a piece of my heart was being torn out today as I hugged him for the last time. Despite his tears, he looked at me, touched my cheek, told me to "Be good," and winked. I didn't know what to say, couldn't find the words, so I told him to do the one thing he's always done without even trying: "Be great."

I'm so unbelievably proud of my little brother, my Marine. He graduates from boot camp in March and will be home for 10 days. I can't wait. Until then, please keep him in your thoughts or prayers. I LOVE YOU, LP!