Growing up, I was fortunate enough to be best friends with my younger sister. We're very different personality-wise, interest-wise, and looks-wise. Despite that, she's always been the person I tell everything to. We fight (mostly over clothes or who ate the last scoop of Halo Top), share inside jokes and perfected our playlist that was timed out for our drive to school. I couldn't imagine how different I would be without her — being an older sister has shaped me into a leader, mentor and best friend.

Her influence has ultimately made me into the person I am today, so below are 10 reasons why you should be thankful for your sister this year:

1. Always having a partner in crime:

Want to go on a late night Halo Top run to Target? Done. Want to stay up late to watch a movie to procrastinate studying? Easy.

2. Perpetual breakfast/lunch/dinner date:

You can literally spend hours sitting at your favorite food place (Café Rio) just talking or Instagram stalking.

3. Always the star of my Snapchat stories:

I think my sister is the funniest person I know and I'll publicly advertise it to all of my Snapchat friends. (Even if she regards her Snapchat stardom as "bullying.")

4. Double the closets, double the fun:

Probably one of the BEST perks is when you wear the same size clothes. BUT whenever you think you lost that trusty pair of jeans you know the first place to look...

5. She always tells you how you look in that dress... for better or for worse:

The truth hurts sometimes.

6. By the same token, she's also your best hype-woman:

Nothing says "number-one fan" like your sister blowing up the comment section on your latest Instagram post.

7. She's the best shotgun DJ:

You have an entire playlist of your favorite songs and have them all timed out for the duration of your drive. And she lets you play the music so loud the cars next to you probably know all the words to Tyga's "Rack City," too.

8. She taught me how to be a leader:

She was always a good sport and let me take on the alpha-roles when we played as kids; she was always the nurse to my doctor, the TA to my teacher and always stuck with the "guy" roles. (Sorry Natalie) But because of this I learned how to lead with patience and a sense of equality, which is something I'm truly grateful for today.

9. She knows (and keeps) all the secrets you tell her:

Yes, she knows what I did last Thursday night. No, our mom will never know.

10: She'll always be your best friend:

Yes, we all have those best friends from high school and college you share amazing memories with, but for the long run, your sister will always be the one who stands by you. You know she's going to be your maid of honor, the best aunt ever and unbeatable advice giver. Ultimately, friends come and go, but family is forever.