Having an older sister means an abundance of things.
It means doing dramatic duets together one minute and curb stomping each other for the bathroom the next minute. It means going through school hearing “Oh you’re so-and-so’s sister” at least once per year. It means inside jokes, arguments, and a constant competition. If you’re like me, your older sister is a sibling, friend, and mom all rolled into one person.
She might drive you crazy, but when it comes down to it, there are so many things you should thank your older sister for, if you haven’t already:
1. Being the “Test Subject”
She was the guinea pig; the one experience rules, curfews, and punishments first. By the time your parents got to you, they were pro’s in the art of discipline and had probably softened up by then. Deny it all you want, but your parents were probably easier on you than on her. If nothing else, thank her for tha
2. For Letting You Into Her World
Let’s be real. No one wants their younger sibling tagging along with all their older, cooler friends. I’m the younger sibling and absolutely wouldn’t have wanted me around. So appreciate those rare moments you were allowed in her room or were asked to tag along to the mall. It means for a brief period of time, you weren’t the clingy little sister and could be cool by association. Appreciate it, but stay humble because she’ll be the first to remind you just how clingy and embarrassing you once were.
3. For Not Selling You in the Family Yard Sale
I promise you, she thought about it. Around the time you threw a temper tantrum in public, in front of all her friends, she daydreamed about how easy it would be to stick you by the mailbox with a “Sister for Sale or Trade” sign in front of you. By some stroke of miracle, she decided to keep you, despite how much she would rather have a puppy instead.
4. For Being Your Friend
She knew what a weird, annoying, attention-sucking child you were and still had your back. Sure, she got her digs in and made sure you knew who was boss. But she was also the first person to step up against a bully or intercept a nosey parent when they hounded her about what was bothering you. If anyone was going to mess with you, it was going to be her, and only her.
5. For Being Consistently, Brutally Honest
When you started wearing makeup, she was the only one who could say you wore heavier eyeliner than the girls who stood on street corners without being worried about your feelings. She’ll tell you flat out when someone isn’t worth your time or when you need to do better for yourself. She’ll offer you her best advice without a filter and somehow always has her phone handy when you text her a picture from the dressing room to ask if your top shows too much cleavage.
6. And For Consistently Being There Unconditionally
She knows when you need a good laugh, a good cry, or a good drink. She even knows when you need a combination of the three. Even despite your worst arguments she will drop everything at any given time to help you when you need it. She knows your likes, dislikes, weird quirks, and habits. She knows how crazy your family is and therefore can’t fault you for your genetics because she shares them too. She’ll keep your secrets because it’s in the unwritten sibling code book, but she’ll call you out when you need a harsh reality check.
7. For a Million Other Reasons You’ll Forget to Thank Her For
For surprising you with new shoes because they were on sale and looked like your style. For sharing a car with you on a long road trip and not throwing you out of it. For being only a phone call away no matter how far apart you live. For every piece of advice, Netflix binge, and midnight snack she’ll share with you. If nothing else, for loving you despite your weirdness, crazy habits, and questionable choices. There’s so many little things you forget to thank your sister for, but always remember how fortunate you are and make sure she knows it too.
