Growing up with an older brother is one of the best things in the world. You always have someone to teach you the rules and regulations of all kinds of sports, you always have someone to joke about your parents, and you always have your older brother to protect you. My brother has been there for me and protected me from a broken bone to a broken heart. Growing up with an older brother is one of the best things in the world.
Through every broken bone and every broken heart, some of my best days have been spent with my brother. One of the best days spent with my brother was the day he brought home my future sister-in-law.
He introduced her to our family and instantly she became a part of it. She filled in the piece of our family that was missing but we never knew was really there. She became the big sister I always wanted but never knew I needed. I already had the best big brother in the world, and when my sister-in-law came into our lives, I suddenly had that big sister. I'm sure my brother was thankful for that, too. Getting your nails done with your little sister and singing Taylor Swift all day long at the top of our lungs, well, it wouldn't be considered the coolest thing in the world.
I was just nine years old when I met my sister-in-law. I'm 18 years old now, and she's been there for me every one of those days. She accepts me on my worst days, and I mean those days when chocolate cake can't even make it better. The moment I realized she was going to be my sister-in-law someday was when people would ask us how we knew each other. Saying best friends didn't feel like enough, and the eight-year age difference didn't exactly help that answer either. Then we had the other option of saying "we're sisters," but if I continued to say she was dating my brother, things might've gotten a little awkward. Either way, through everything, she has had my back through it all. From her presence at my fourth grade poetry reading (and making all the other nine-year-olds jealous I had this cool, (and new) older sister), to standing beside her on the day she married my older brother, she has become my friend, my best friend, and (officially) my older sister.
So, here is my thank you note to my built-in sister, and my forever best friend. My brother has been there to protect me through all the broken bones and all the broken hearts, but you have taught me to learn from them. You understand me even when I don't understand myself. I always wanted an older sister. Someone to do my hair, someone to steal clothes from, someone to complain about boys with, and someone to sing Taylor Swift and Beyonce with. I finally have that person, but the sister I always dreamed of isn't half the person you are.
To my best friend, my rock, my person, thank you. I love you, sister.
