A mix of feelings filled the air, excitement, nervousness, and sadness. It was the day my brother was graduating from high school, ready to move on to the next chapter of his life. Although I was excited for my brother, I was going to miss my only sibling. 

As crowds of people flowed into the stadium, we found our seats, surrounded by extended family and familiar faces. We waited for the ceremony to begin, my mom, who is a frequent crier, was beginning to hold back tears. Names were read through until they reached my brother Jack. My mom’s tears began to fall as her first child was graduating from high school. 

After the ceremony came to a close, my family and I headed down to find my brother. After a confusing 20 minutes, during which my brother neglected to answer his phone, we found him and hugs ensued. My extended family snapped photos with Jack like the paparazzi, which my brother was not a fan of. After the photo session among my cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents, my mom, dad, and I all joined together for a photo with the new graduate. 

I was excited for Jack, since he did not love high school. But I was not looking forward to how quiet my house would become without him. Oddly, I was going to  miss my brother playing video games at 3 a.m., or making a burrito in the middle of the night. A truly bittersweet moment, knowing that my brother was moving on to greater things in life, while also knowing how much I would miss having him around.