Being the youngest of three is a blessing and a curse. Growing up as the third female sibling taught me many things and has shaped me to be the young woman I am today.
Growing up, I was known as the baby... And once I got to be a little too old for the title of "baby," it stayed with me. This especially occurred when seeing family friends and relatives that I had not remembered meeting in the first place. "Ohh! You're the baby! You're so grown up!" Well, yes, and although I was grown, the name stuck. It still sticks with me even as I grow out of my teenage years.
Having two older sisters to look up to growing up was a gift in itself. Even when it seemed as if they were only put on this planet to torture me, they taught me things that no one else possibly could. As a 7-year-old, my oldest sister was driving me around listening to multiple music genres and singers such as 50 Cent, Secondhand Serenade, and Aaron Carter. I was also forced into making music videos singing and dancing around my room that I shared with my sister to "Lucky" by Brittany Spears. I am not sure what this taught me other than to be open, but it sure made for a good laugh when watching the videos years later. Watching my sisters go through struggles and successes showed me that it is okay to make mistakes along with that good things come in time.
Although my sisters and I fought over silly things, like me wearing their clothes and who could use the computer first, once they moved out and went to college things changed. They both became even bigger role models and mentors to me. To this day we are truly three best friends.
But of course, with having two older sisters comes with its downfalls. We never actually knew who was in trouble because our mom would always yell the wrong name my mistake. It didn't help that our names were Jessica, Jenna, and Jillian. Typically, all three names were called and we hoped that it would actually be our fault.
This didn't just happen when someone was in trouble. My dad coached my sister Jessica in soccer her whole life and then he became my coach in middle school. When I stepped onto the soccer field my name changed to Jessica. To this day, my parents still call me by the wrong name on a daily basis, something that I don't think will ever change.
Growing up with two older sisters taught me many things. Although it was annoying at times, I am thankful to be the youngest child and I would do anything to relive those memories with my sisters. My sisters now have their own lives. My sister Jessica has blessed our family with three beautiful boys and my sister Jenna comes home every day with a new story about her schooling and work. To this day, I look up to them and learn new lessons from them.
