Up until I was in the seventh grade, I had always been an only child. I was as most only-children were: Loved by their entire family, spoiled (but not too badly), and I definitely got all the attention. This all changed pretty drastically once my sister, born a couple months before my 13^th birthday, came into the picture.

In no way was I ever bitter about the fact that I had a sibling who garnered much more attention than me. As someone who’s always had shy tendencies, it was kind of a relief. Finally, someone to take the prying eyes off of what I was attempting to do with my life. So in a way, having a little sister ended up saving me a bit of trouble.

Of course, more than just the amount of attention I received from anyone during that time changed. The existence of this tiny little human (who isn’t so tiny anymore) changed a lot more than I anticipated and forever changed the way in which I conducted my life.

Suddenly, I had become an older brother, a figure that I’d always wanted to have as a kid. The implications that came with being an older brother weren’t exactly what you would think of when you’re so many years older than your sibling. I was never rough and fought with my sister. Instead, I helped raise her. It was through my sister that I was able to obtain so many skills that I use to this day.

Anyone who has a younger sibling/has younger siblings knows that having the virtue of patience is an absolute necessity. In my case, there was no use getting mad at her when she was only one or two years old. That would bring tears and screaming, something that no one should ever want. Instead, I learned to expand my limits. I didn’t have time to be impatient with her. Instead, I had to try and understand.

As the years went on, this virtue became increasingly more important. Now, she’s able to vocalize her wants and needs. And even if I have to say “no,” I have to do it in a way that doesn’t condescend or demean her. Just because she’s a kid doesn’t mean she should be patronized. And that’s a lesson that I wish more people had learned.

One of the more recent challenges that I had to face with my sister was the act of getting her up in time for school. Before I started my fall quarter at college, she had already been well into the third grade. While my mom was at work, it was my job to get her out of bed, dressed, have her lunch and backpack ready, and out the door at around 9-ish in the morning. Now, this would have been a cakewalk if my sister was the obedient dreamchild every parent wishes they had. But, she is not. For the first week, I struggled. A lot. But it was through those struggles that I got a peek into what parents really have to go through, and just how ornery children can really be.

I cherish all the moments that I have with my sister. With her being so young and impressionable, I took my chance to introduce her to all the things that I liked as a kid, like trading card games, “Pokemon,” Legos, and much more. I’m extremely thankful to have her in my life, for the experiences I’ve had with her have shaped me into the person I am today.