To 3 of my greatest blessings,

I don’t think I ever got the chance over all these years to truly appreciate you guys. I was most likely distracted by the amount of times I was bossed around, dragged to a sporting event, or called “the baby of the family.” Some, possibly most, days we wanted to pull one another’s hair out -- and we probably did. Lots of times one of us would end up crying to a parent about how mean so-and-so was and there were a few times where we threatened to never speak to one another again (deep down, we knew that would never work). Going to school with you was always interesting. Most days I’d get a “hi”, but I knew I was just the little sister who could do something embarrassing at any second. Road trips were the best, and the worst of times. Six people packed into one suburban was always quite the ride, especially if one of us got sick or two began to bicker and everyone got involved.

Though this may make it sound like having siblings was miserable, it was actually the complete opposite. I learned early on that it was not always going to go my way, that I would sometimes have to put up with the fact that you were going to push me around or that we would scream at each other. Those mini boxing matches and screaming spells made me tougher in the long run. Beyond those things, I learned more from you three than I could ever explain. You guys were the first to teach me how to be a friend, a real friend who cares for someone else. Yeah, I know, we “had to be friends” because we were born into the same family, but that wasn’t it. Mom always said, “Don’t fight because one day you’ll realize how lucky you are to have each other” and we would just laugh and continue to hit each other, but, surprise, like always, Mom was right. I did not think I’d realize it so early on, but I’m thankful I did.

Going off to college made me see how easy it is to grow apart from people, but I’ll always know that there will be those people – whether I want them around or not – who will be there waiting when I get home for every break. Thankfully, I have already found mine: you guys, and you’ve been there since the day I was born.

So, thank you. Not for letting me borrow your clothes or bug you until you want to throw me out of your room, but for being there for me, no matter the situation. Thank you for letting me tell you everything and never missing a chance to tell me I’m wrong about something. Most importantly, thank you guys for showing me that this “forced friendship” we were born into isn’t so forced after all.

With unconditional love,

“Your baby sister”