Growing up, I was always so used to rattling off the fact that I had three older brothers when asked about my siblings. Usually, the response that ensued would be something along the lines of, “Wow, and you’re the only girl?” or, “The boys down the road better watch out!” Looking back on my childhood, I have my three older brothers to thank for teaching me an infinite number of lessons, life skills, and for providing me with just the right amount of teasing.

First of all, I have all three of you to thank for allowing our family structure to function as it has. I know many older siblings who treat their younger brothers or sisters like outsiders due to an age difference, but that was never the case. You always included me in whatever activity you were plotting, whether it be Texas Hold ‘Em tournaments to running each other over with boogie boards in the ocean to playing frisbee in the yard. In addition, I must give you all the credit for teaching me how to be functional in a wide range of sports. I learned very fast that on hot summer days, we would be having squirt gun battles in the yard or playing ghost in the graveyard rather than sitting around watching TV or playing with dolls. This was due to the fact that all of my Barbie dolls were either beheaded or had all their hair chopped off *cough Andrew ahem.* Regardless, I have the fondest memories of all four of us inventing ways to keep ourselves entertained throughout the years, and I must thank you all for giving me the most exciting childhood I could have ever imagined.

Next on the list: protection. It’s almost as if some unwritten rule exists that all brothers are required to be super protective of their little sisters. Magnify this by three, and maybe you’ll understand the level of defense that I always had growing up. Now this wasn’t always a bad thing- they always took it upon themselves to put the fear of God in any guy that wanted to take me to a school dance. In addition, I have to thank you, Andrew, for toughening me up starting at a young age. “Hey Ang, I have a new karate move that I wanna try on you!”, you’d say, and proceed to flip me over your shoulder. However, from our sparring bouts in the basement, I learned the basics of self-defense from both you and Justin. With Andrew’s muscles, Jonathan’s negotiation skills, and Justin’s medical knowledge, wherever we went, we would be safe.

I also owe a lot of my mental toughness to you three. Teasing was inevitable in our household, and I always had a healthy fear for April Fool’s Day. I think what catalyzed that was walking down the street from the bus one day and seeing my favorite stuffed animal hanging from outside my bedroom window by a belt noose. Instead of throwing tantrums, we rolled with the punches. Everyone knew that their turn for teasing would come, and we all learned what made each other tick. I also must give credit to you all for instilling in me the importance of fitness. I remember as a child, I couldn’t wait until I was old enough to get a gym membership so that I could work out with everyone instead of sitting by the front desk. When that time came, you all taught me something different. To this day, anytime my brothers walk into the house, I brace myself to hear “HEY ANG LET’S GO TO THE GYM!!!” Without you three, I would probably weigh much more, due to the amount of food we eat.

Finally, my bros, I thank you for being the best role models on this planet. All three of you are so incredibly unique and talented, yet I never felt pressured to choose a career path similar to yours. You taught me what it means to be treated well and respected by men, and I will forever look for and value those qualities in my future husband one day.

Thank you Justy, Jinny, and Sims for your wonderful examples, companionship, for making me laugh my way through childhood, and helping me realize how lucky I am to have three older brothers.

Love,

Ang