For this birthday (and aptly-timed with your startup arc) I got you your own piece of the internet: micahgao.com!
Growing up together has been one of the greatest joys of my life. I wish I had appreciated more the ephemerality - of living under the same roof, of sharing the same wall, and of each family meal or argument or road trip - while we were still in it. I guess it is true what they say about not knowing what you have until it's gone, but maybe our blissful unawareness was part of why it was so good.
I never thought I'd see you go to college or be an adult or grow up in general for that matter; though you are only a year younger than me I will always see you as the Boots to my Dora (or as 'stupid'. or something like boingboing or meep or michelle or whatever the fawk that was). And yet, here you are, more than halfway through your first year of college, and entering your last year of teenagehood!
One of the things I am most grateful for this past year has been getting closer to you - all the times you called me to crash out about Ani, or career things, or just to talk about your life. it's something i've always secretly hoped for as your (slightly) older sister, and i hope i'll be hearing even more in the future - actually, for the rest of your life because statistically i'll outlive you (except if i die early of chronic stress or some shit like that).
Speaking of the future, words cannot express how proud I am to be your sister. Note that this is independent of your achievements, status, self-confidence, etc. I hope you could tell by the way that the Treehacks team loved you, that I make this very known. Though the great-lock-in has come somewhat later, you have always been one of the most driven people I know. Over the past few months, watching you discover passions in business, in tech, in guitar, and in learning things in general has brought me, and everyone around you, boundless joy. I urge you to write a journal entry tonight reflecting on how far you've come just this past year! (seriously please do it) Did younger Micah think you'd be starting clubs, learning instruments, learning code, getting grants, teaching about APIs (knowing what an API is) or any of the other things you're up to? Mom, dad, and the grandparents have always said that you'll probably entrepreneuiship your way to being richer than me, and now finally, the game is on :)
I hope you know that I am your biggest fan, and I will be here to support you every step of your way (starting with this personal website domain). 19 was one of the most tumultuous, rollercoaster-like years of my life; I'm excited for you to experience all the ups, downs, tosses, and turns. And, at the end, I know you'll emerge with plenty of successes and failures and good stories to look back on. I can't wait to watch you take on the next chapter of your life, and finish your teenage years with a bang.
However much I miss our childhood, I am even more excited for the lifetime that's left.
Love you lil bro <3 — Hannah