Surviving a childhood with a little sister like me is one impressive feat and somehow both of my older brothers managed to do it. As a young girl I wanted to join in on everything that my brothers were doing. Because of this, I learned so much from them. Some of these lessons are: Don't take too long to get ready or you'll get left behind, don't attempt to talk to a boy when they are watching tv or playing video games and most importantly get to the kitchen on time for dinner because if you're late there is a chance you might not get any food.

Regardless of all of the times we have fought and all of the havoc I have caused, I am more than proud to be called your little sister. I have so much to thank you for and I'll never be able to complete the list, but I'll give it a try.

Thank you for...

1. Being Protective

As much as I am sure my brothers would have loved to (figuratively) feed me to the dogs, they have always had my back. Whenever I have run into trouble they were there for me and I know that they both feel as though they are the only ones who are allowed to pick on me. Brothers have this way of acting tough and not letting you in on the fact that they might just actually like you and sometimes they might even act like they don't know you but deep (deep, deep) down they love you. A lot.

2. Guidance

Being that my (older) brothers are older than me (who would've guessed!) they experienced things before I did. I can remember just a few days before going into middle school and I was panicking about starting school and how I just knew I couldn't figure out how to use a combination lock. By the time high school rolled around I was definitely a pro at opening up lockers but I was still just as nervous, after all this was a pretty big change, but they helped me through the transition and always answered any questions I had. When it was time to start college they were more than helpful in making sure I was doing everything I needed in order to be on track!

3. Pushing Me

Sounds like a weird thing to be thankful for, huh? But my brothers are the ones who brought out my competitive side. They pushed me to try my best and showed me what it means to put all of my energy into something. Over the years they have helped me grow into an individual that doesn't give up as easily. I'm not sure if this came from their words of encouragement, wanting to make them proud or from the number of times I had been called a baby for quitting because I was losing.

4. Letting Me Follow In Your Footsteps

Many times as a young girl I would sit back and observe what my brothers were doing and then proceed to copy them. Sometimes this got me into trouble because I was incapable of the skill; other times this got me in trouble because I was being annoying. Either way, I am more than thankful for the skills I learned from them, the facts I learned from them and all of the knowledge they have shared with me, whether directly or indirectly.

5. Putting Up With My Pestering Stage

I heard this stage lasts from birth until right around the age of twenty typically, so it should be over any day now.. Sorry, guys! Thanks for not getting too upset every time your friends came over and I wouldn't leave you alone because I wanted to be included. And thanks for the (rare) occasions that you actually did include me, those are some moments I will never forget.

6. Teaching Me To Be Supportive

When your brother is an athlete and you're too young to stay at home by yourself, you don't really have a choice but to go to his games. But even if I had a choice I still would have gone. Instead of being the little sister hanging out underneath the bleachers or running around in the hallway I actually sat and watched the games. This has paid off immensely. Not only do I now thoroughly enjoy watching sports, but I understand them!

7. Going Easy

Whether we were playing basketball, wrestling, playing video games or anything else that I asked to join in on, my brothers always went just a little bit easy on me in an effort to not destroy my feelings. Even if they won't admit that they did it to help me, I know they did. Sometimes I wonder if my controller was ever even plugged in while playing video games because I was always surprised when my team scored while playing 2k.

8. Giving Me Thick Skin

This is a skill that I hope every girl has the opportunity to learn at some point in her life. Many of the insults that were thrown my way growing up have no effect on me now because I grew numb. My mom would always tell me that they were just trying to "get my goat." I never had a goat, but if I did they should have just taken it. They taught me that words only hurt if you let them. After being called a "butt munch" for the millionth time, I realized that it is just a silly way that brothers show affection.

9. Teaching Me Self Defense

Growing up with boys, some type of wrestling is bound to happen. I learned how to be tough whether it was in the backyard while playing football, dodging fake punches until I learned not to flinch, or escaping a Nerf gun war. Thanks to my brothers I have learned to (somewhat) expect the unexpected.

10. Being Honest With Me

For letting me know when I was younger if I was going to walk out of the house and embarrass myself. For letting me know that I was completely tone deaf while scream-singing. And for letting me know when I was upset over something that was completely unnecessary to be upset about.

11. Being My Best Friend

Although I know I could be the most annoying human in all of existence at times, you guys never disowned me. You show me that you truly want what is best for me. You have always looked out for me. I can come to you both about anything. Even if you won't admit it, we had tons of fun growing up together.

12. Never Judging Me

Even when you probably should have, you never made me feel like you I was being judged. Remember when blue eye shadow was a thing? Or those years when I would dance around to One Direction? What about all those duck-faced selfies? Seriously?! Why were you not judging me?

13. Always Being There

Since you're older than I am, everything that I have gone through, you've gone through with me. You have never left my side and because of that, you are truly a hero to me. Through every good day and bad day, you have been there.

14. Loving Me Unconditionally

You were the first boys (besides dad, of course) to show me what love really means. Although you were partially forced to upon my arrival into this world, I think you've made a point to never leave me wondering what I mean to you both.

Also, I'm sorry for all of the times that you got blamed for something that I did... Thanks again! Love you, always.