If I had a penny for every time someone asked if I was an accident, well I would have enough money to not be offended by the question. People always think it is so strange to have a sibling who is at least ten years older than them, let alone thirteen years older in my situation. Throw in not having a sibling in between us two, and people just cannot wrap their heads around it. Well I am here to tell you that no, it is not strange, and despite trying my best to not get offended now and then, I wouldn't change it for the world.

1. People mistake your sister for your mom.

When you are younger, people would constantly ask if your sister is your mom. No, she did not have me at thirteen years old. She doesn’t even look old enough to have a daughter! Who knows, maybe people just thought she was using the fountain of youth (or a lot of Botox).

2. People mistake you as the mom of your sister’s kids.

To the disappointment of the gossipy mom at the grocery store, you are not in fact a teen mother, but you are in fact a teen aunt. Do as you wish with this gossip, but it probably will not get you too far.

3. People constantly ask if you are half siblings.

“So do you have the same mom or dad?” Nope, we are sisters from the same mister and girls from the same pearl.

4. People constantly ask if you were planned.

Or as people more rudely put it, “Were you a mistake?” No, I was not. Yes, I was planned. No, they did not plan on having me that late. That’s just the way it turned out!

5. Her friends become like family.

You were a baby when she was in middle school, so her life-long friends became your best friends. They were constantly around the house, at graduation, at her wedding, at the birth of her kids. You cannot help but consider them as part of the family.

6. You never knew what it was like to fight about sharing clothes.

Since you were always so much younger than her, her clothes probably never fit you. So when your friends were constantly complaining about their siblings stealing their clothes, you could never relate. Instead, you were delighted when you were given one of her shirts that didn’t fit her anymore!

7. You constantly find yourself asking your sister for advice.

She is the one who has already gone through it! High school, prom, college, she has already gone through it all. She is the first person to ask for advice because she has already gone through it all but not too long ago like, lets say, your parents.

8. You find yourself aspiring to be like her.

Let’s face it, your sister is your hero. She is old enough to have accomplished so much that you cannot help but look up to her. She has set the goals and standards for the family and you can’t help but aspire to be like her.

9. You consider her your best friend.

Who else can you say that you’ve known for your entire life and have rarely ever fought with? Who else is always there for you through thick and thin? She may be many years older, but that just means she has a bigger heart to love you with.