I have a lot of people in my life who made me change my perspective on how I see things today. My older brother Cristian, for me, stands out as a person that has truly changed my life for the better and has had a lasting impact on me. I was never entirely aware of my brother’s impact on my life as a child. When you’re young, you tend to take the people closest to you for granted, believing that they will always be there to guide you in subtle ways that you don’t immediately notice. I didn’t realize how much my brother influenced my beliefs, self-confidence, and approach to problem-solving until I was older. I am reminded how his influence has played a part in my life every single day.

He taught me that life isn’t simple, work ethic and determination are more important than skill and you can’t win on just talent alone. He continued despite his challenges, and I learned from him that failure is something to be learned rather than something to be afraid of. His strong work ethic greatly impacted my confidence. Even through times that I didn’t believe in myself he believed in me, and gave me the push I needed to do the best. He always spoke with compassion and never hid the truth. However, like any siblings our relationship wasn’t always pleasant. We argued and experienced frustration at times. These events are what shaped us as brothers. I learned how to communicate better and see different perspectives because of him. Throughout the years our relationship strengthened itself and solidified our bond as brothers.

Today, when I reflect on my life and look back on life when I was younger, I remember all the memories and life lessons my brother gave me, I see his influence on me and in the choices I make. While he may never fully understand and realize the impact he had on me and still does to this day, I will always remember the things he taught me. So Cristian, thank you for everything that you’ve done for me throughout the years and looking forward to many more. I couldn’t ask for a better brother.