If you asked me how I felt about my older sister as I was growing up, my answer would have varied depending on my age. I loved her, despised her, admired her, emulated her, annoyed her, fought with her, and, mostly, wanted to be her. Older siblings are fun in general, but there is nothing quite like having an older sister. So, to all the older sisters out there, this one is for you.

I know that younger siblings can be annoying. I am one, and I like to think that I have perfected my role as the baby of the family. Admittedly, I've used my youngest child charm to throw my siblings under the bus or turn situations around so that I receive none of the blame. Annoying, right? But, many of the times that my sister accused me of being annoying when I was younger, I was only trying to get her attention or to get her to like me. I constantly wanted to hang out with her friends because if they were cool enough to hang out with my sister, they had to be the best girls in the world. I wanted to spend as much time as possible learning from her. Everyone loves my sister. For good reason, too. She's smart, witty, beautiful, and passionate. I had this amazing resource for how to be the best young woman I could be right there living next to me. I wanted to learn all I could from her, so I hung around as much as possible. Naturally, because of our ages and my slightly aggressive tendencies, I annoyed her.

Older sisters, next time you get exasperated and frustrated with the constant barrage of attention from your little shadow, remember that. We don't always try to get under your skin. Many times, we just want the privilege of being with someone we look up to so much.

Being the youngest also benefitted me in school and in my extracurriculars. At the small school my siblings and I attended, we all went through the same teachers. Of course, I had to follow two years after my overachieving big sister. She set the bar quite high, causing teachers to expect a lot simply because I was her little sister. I had to work hard to keep up with the reputation my sister established. I like to think I made her proud, but really I owe her a thank you for pushing me to be my best by setting a great example. She paved the way for me outside of school, too. She started dance lessons, so I did too. She started figure skating, so I did too. The list goes on. Because she had the courage to try all of these new activities, I did too. I'm even copying her in college, as I joined Tri Delta two years after she joined at her own school.

Older sisters, if you ever get stressed or wonder why you work so hard, remember the girl that's looking up to you to see what to do. Remember the girl who pays attention to your choices and emulates your actions before you make a choice you may regret later.

I'm lucky enough to have an older brother, too, and when it comes to the overprotective role, he has that covered. But there is nothing quite like the relationship between sisters. I go to my sister for anything. That means that she knows when I'm having a hard time, when a boy has made me mad, or when I'm feeling down or lonely. She knows when someone's done me wrong, and she takes it personally. My sister has stood up for me and defended me more times than I can count. There is nothing quite like the fierce loyalty of sisters.

Older sisters, there is nothing wrong with being protective over your little sister. We appreciate it. Matter of fact, we depend on it. Having a sister is having a built in best friend, but it is also having an automatic ally. Even when she is 700 miles away, she has my back, and that is something you don't often find in an average friendship.

When my sister and I would fight a few years ago, our mom would always say, "You're going to miss each other when you're apart at college!" I didn't believe her then, but, like always, she was certainly right.

Older sisters, hug that annoying little copy-cat that steals your clothes and tries to hang out with you. I guarantee you she will appreciate it.