This document is a personal essay about the author's brother Tyler and how he has been her best friend and role model since childhood. It describes how Tyler looked out for her when they were babies, included her in activities, consoled her when she was upset, and helped her overcome fears. The essay discusses how Tyler has taught the author to be optimistic, appreciate little things, follow her dreams, take risks, and that change can be good. It expresses how even from abroad, Tyler continues to encourage and inspire the author.

1. From a play mate to a
role model
By: Kelsey Horvath

2. The best things in life are free.
Tyler has been my best friend since day one.
He has always taken care of me and looked
out for me. When we were little, instead of being
nervous of having a new baby on the way, he
took the responsibility of watching over me. Ty
has always been there for me.
When we were babies he was the one who
would sit in front of me for hours calling me
KooKoo Kelsey and making weird faces to try to
get me to laugh. He would sit with me for hours
on the couch in our family room or on our
parents’ bed buried under stuffed animals. We
used to always put on talk shows with all our
stuffed animals for our mom and dad.
He took me under his wing. No matter how
annoying I was, he always let me tag along. He
was the one that made sure I was included
when no one else did. I could have asked for a
better person to call my best friend.

3. No idea is a bad idea.
He rarely ever turned anything I said down, he’s been a great
teacher to me since we were little. If I thought about something he
would always say, “Oh! Good idea Kels,” and try it out or attempt
to make it even better. He accepted my weirdness and imagination
as kids. For one of his birthdays, I had gotten him a block of wood
and wrapped it. I don’t know where I found it, but I was extremely
proud of this piece of wood. I was really excited to see his reactions
when he opened up his present. When he did unwrap it, instead of
asking why he received a block of wood as a present, he was
energetically excited and thankful towards me.
Whenever I needed someone, Ty was always there. When I had
my meltdown in first grade, he was the one who left the entire
class of third graders during lunch to come console his sobbing
mess of a sister. To think it was just because I missed my
mom…he was always the one to make everything better.
One time I was sleeping in the extra bunk bed in his room
because our older brother moved into his own room. When I was
little I hated sleeping by myself during thunderstorms. Ty was the
one who let me come down and sleep next to him so I didn’t have
to be alone when our parents weren’t home. Since we were little he
has helped me overcome my fears.

4. Ty has taught me to be optimistic and
to appreciate the little things in life.
He’s always had the ability to
find the beauty in everything. I’ve
always admired him for his optimistic
view of life. Our family has always
joked about how he’s always been the
sweet and caring one out of the three
of us, but it’s honestly the truth. He
can bring happiness and laughter into
people’s lives without even trying.
He’s a role model for all, and never
gives up on maintaining balance in
his life.
Now that we’re older, he is one of
the only people I can never get sick of.
He makes every moment memorable.
Whether its out with a group of people
or just us sitting at the kitchen table
doing homework and him randomly
breaking out singing a random song.
He has a gift of putting a smile on
anyone’s face.

5. He always there for me.
I never wanted to go to college where
one of my brothers went because I wanted
my own “college experience.” I’m thankful I
did not go on with my original decision.
The morning of my high school
graduation one of my classmates had gotten
in a serious car accident. After a strenuous
summer we all to leave our friend for school.
Within the first couple of weeks at school I
found out that he had passed away.
It was a difficult time for me being away
from home. My best friends from home and I
were all split it. Phone calls could only go so
far. I was in a new place, a new home, and
with new people. When I didn’t know where
to go or who to turn to, he was there. He
was always there for me.

6. Ty’s taught me how to follow my dreams.
Each day here at Beloit brings something new
for me. Some days I want jump into something brand
new and try it, where spontaneity brings me to a place I
have never been to before. Other days, I feel like I can’t
drift from the norm. With each of those days, Ty has
supported me to set high goals and not be afraid to step
into the unknown. I can achieve anything that I set my
mind to.
I’ve always admired my brother’s creativity. His
passion for accomplishing his goals and taking risks has
given me confidence in myself to not be afraid to go after
what I truly want.
He’s taught me that in order to make other people
happy, I need to find what makes me happy first. Doing
something for the sake of the group can only go so far if
my heart isn’t in it to. Ty has always encouraged me to
find what makes me happy, and do it. If it doesn’t make
me happy anymore, then stop and find what does.
We only get one shot with this life, find what makes
you the happiest and make it memorable. He has always
shown me that if you work hard you can accomplish
you goals, so dream big.

8. Ty’s taught me how to take risks and that change is good.
My brother is currently in Spain this semester studying abroad. Even though I am not with
him, he continues to teach me. I had asked him if he thinks he has changed as an individual at all
since he has been gone, and once again he taught me two very important ideals.
One, always appear to have confidence, whether you have it or not. He told me that if I could
appear confident, others will believe I am a confident individual. The more other people believe I
am confident, the more I will believe it myself. The world was foreign, new, and scary when he first
arrived in Spain. Like many students, he was quiet and nervous about speaking Spanish. He then
started to appear to be confident, which internally made him confident. He became his outgoing
self again, began to try new things and soon became more confident with his speaking. Even when
he was grammatically wrong, everyone was much more respectful and warm and willing to help
him because he was trying instead of second guessing himself. He took a huge risk. He said that
once you achieve that confidence, you end up surprising yourself with what you are able to do.
He told me about the importance to be open when meeting people. Make friends with
everyone. He told me not to let differences and disagreements interfere with making new friends.
He’s meet a lot of people abroad who have different views than him. A lot of times many of their
different views made him think and reflect on his own views. Some of his views have changed
because of them. He told me to always be open minded because it leads to interesting
conversations and new friendships. He said get to know everyone, and let them get to know you.
The best way to go about life is to be friends with everyone, life will be more enjoyable.

10. The best things in life are free.