What do you think of when you think of your childhood? Running around the neighborhood gathering everyone you could to play hide and seek? Eating red popsicles that stained your mouth? Running home when the street lights came on at night? Whatever it is, I'm sure it was great. But there is one great thing you cannot beat. That one thing is your best friend. In my case, best friends. They weren't the kind of best friends that you only see once every few days. Or the kind that you have to call their parents to set up a play date. Nope. My best friends were and are my siblings.

Siblings share a special bond that cannot be broken. I like to think that the bond I share with my siblings is extra special. When we were younger it was no different. Sure, we had our fights, as all siblings do. But through those fights, there was always an outcome. Whether we were laughing or crying because one of us didn't get our way, it was resolved. Of course it was. We were best friends, after all.

I grew up with an older brother, sister, and a younger sister. As you can predict, playing what we wanted didn't always work out. My sisters and I always wanted to play house. My brother, not so much, but he did it. He sucked it up and played the "father". Well, at least what he thought playing the father meant. He would use that title to boss us around and get us into trouble. Don't even get me started on when we wanted to play barbies. He had a hobby of "accidentally" tearing the arm or head off the Ken doll. But no matter how different we were, I wouldn't change a thing. My brother made our days ten times better. Without him, I'm sure our lives would be immensely different.

Now let's talk about our arguments. Yes, all siblings have them. It's not much different when you are best friends. The only difference is, you have to forgive them eventually. There were screaming matches, "accidental" slaps to the arm, glares, and more. We always got over it, how could we not? We didn't fight that often, other than a few bickers here and there, so when we did, it was easy to get over because we needed someone to play with. After all, it was much easier to ask them to play rather than going across the street to ask one of your other friends to come out. When you are best friends, fights, no matter how big or small, are easy to resolve.

I was blessed beyond words all throughout my childhood. I have wished so many times that I could just go back to when I was little, but I'm excited to see where my best friends go in life. I know I'll be right by their side through it all. I have the type of friends most people can only dream of having. I treasure our bond and hope that it is never broken. So, to my siblings, thank you for all that you have done and all that you will do. I truly love each of you with all of my heart.