To My Younger Siblings,
Here are 15 things I want you to know:
1. I had way more rules than you do.
Mom and dad were far stricter with me than they ever were with you. This injustice was righted when I came home from college and had fewer rules to follow than you did at the time.
2. I know what you're up to.
I was your age a lot more recently than you think. I know what people are getting up to at your age more than mom and dad do.
3. I nag because I care.
I know that sometimes I can seem bossy (especially when you were younger and I used to babysit you) but I hope you know that the nagging that you found so annoying came from a place of love for you.
4. I have a boatload of embarrassing stories and pictures of you.
So many. Some of these are definitely going to make a comeback later (cough - at your wedding - cough), while some of them still get brought up pretty regularly and will probably lose their charm by that point (I simply chose not to include a specific example here because I didn't want you to murder me).
5. I worry about you.
I remember when you were little, and sometimes I forget that you're not so little anymore.
6. You drive me crazy.
And I'm sure that I drive you crazy, too! Who doesn't love notes slipped under their door in the wee hours of the morning with such modest and nonchalant requests?
7. Life is better with you in it.
I can remember what life was like before you were born, but I can also realize that my life is better because of you (even though if you ask me in person, I'd probably deny it).
8. You can always talk to me.
No matter what you're going through, you can always talk to me. I won't judge you, and I'll do my best to help you with whatever you're dealing with.
9. I always have time for you.
Even though life can get pretty hectic, I'll always make time for you if you wanted to spend time together or if you need my help. Besides, there are very few people I'll wake up at sunrise for when I don't have to!
10. I don't actually hate driving you places.
As much as I roll my eyes when I'm chauffeuring you and your friends to the mall for the third time this month, I really don't mind driving you places (I just have to act like I do, because that's my job as a big sister). I like going out and exploring new places with you.
11. I like going to your sporting games.
I like going to your sporting events and watching your games. I'll take two hours of sitting on hard bleachers in a stuffy gym if it means I'll get to see you play for 20 minutes.
12. I'm the only one who's allowed to pick on you.
It's my right as big sister to tease you and give you a hard time (lovingly, of course), but I'll fight anyone else who picks on you. I'm allowed to lightly tease my little baby siblings (y'all know you give me a hard time too), nobody else is!
13. I might be shorter, but I'm still older.
(Note: I (long dress) was wearing heels in this picture)
Yes, I might LITERALLY be looking up to you, but we all know that metaphorically you're still looking up to me. You might be taller than I am, but I'm older - and therefore wiser than you are.
14. I love being your big sister.
As much as I jokingly lament having younger siblings, I really do love being your big sister. This MIGHT be partially motivated by the fact that I was able to bribe you into doing my housework for me on occasion, or by the fact that I had someone to boss around, but, mostly it's because...
15. I love you.
I know that we don't always get along, we fight over stupid stuff and we drive one another crazy, but I hope you know that I really do love you a lot!
