“Sisters are a gift to the heart, a friend to the spirit, a golden thread to the meaning of life” – Isadora Jones

This past weekend, my older sister turned 22. She has been my best friend literally since day one, and I am so grateful to all the life lessons she has taught me. Here are 22 life lessons my older sister has taught me.

1. Always come prepared.

Need a stick of gum? Don’t worry, sissy has a brand new pack in her purse. Need some Advil or a cough drop? You know she has some. Our purses look exactly the same- filled with anything we may possibly need while away from home.

2. The importance of a tough skin.

She is probably the reason you need to learn to have some tough skin.

3. School work always come first.

4. Don’t be afraid to follow your dreams.

5. Sharing is caring.

This usually meant it is important to share my candy or clothes, but the second I wanted anything of hers, well, forget it.

6. How to keep going.

7. How to be a leader.

8. How to be an at home pop star.

My sister is the one who taught me how to sing into the hairbrush as loud as possible and to dance around the house while doing chores like no one can see you.

9. How to deal with puberty.

She went through it first and probably has the best advice around to help you survive.

10. How to shut down the haters.

11. Privacy doesn’t really exist.

12. How to “Let it Go.”

13. How to “adult.”

14. How to wear make up.

My sister was never afraid to tell me I looked stupid during my middle school years where I the blue eye shadow up to the eye brow and the black liner across both eyelids. Now, don’t give me that look- we all looked terrible in those middle school years.

15. How to style hair.

Now, I may still struggle doing anything fancy with my hair, but I wouldn’t even be able to put my hair in a ponytail without help when I was younger.

16. How to wallow.

Now, we may have both learned how to wallow from Gilmore Girls, but she helped me perfect it.

17. How to be a good friend.

18. How to shop.

19. Have passion in everything you do.

20. Have a big heart.

21. How to fight.

22. Forgive and forget.

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Big sisters are the most important girl in everything little sister’s life. They are there with you through all the ups and downs, and they teach you so much, without even knowing it. Growing up, we may have fought like cats and dogs, but know, I have never been more honored to have my sister as my best friend. I’m sure throughout the next 80 years of our lives, I will learn so much more.