My entire life I have been living in the shadow of my older sister. When I was little I strived to be exactly like her. There was even a phase I went through where I would stand behind her watching her put food on her plate just to go behind her to get the same exact thing on mine, despite if it was something I probably wouldn't pick myself. I always thought, "Well if she likes it, then so will I." I didn't have an explanation for doing this other than the fact that I aspired to be like her even if that meant forcing myself to eat certain foods just because she was doing it.

However, when I got a little older the tables turned; I no longer wanted to be exactly like my older sister. My sister and I attended the same elementary, middle and high school. So from the time I started kindergarten to my senior year of high school, I was constantly known as the younger sister. I often heard things like "well you are nothing like your sister" or "you and your sister are so different!" We have two completely different personalities. Being constantly compared to her drove me insane.

I have always looked forward to the day when the comparing me to my sister would stop. In reality, this day would never come. The truth is, I will never stop being compared to her because, well, she's my older sister. I always thought being compared to her was a bad thing, and it turns out that I was so wrong.

While my sister and I may not always agree on everything, she holds so many amazing qualities that she has encouraged me to also instill in myself.

My sister is determined. There's been some times I have witnessed my sister frustrated because things may not always go as she planned. However, when she strives to accomplish something, she will never let the fear of failure stop her. This has inspired me to do the same. I often let the fear of failure stop me from chasing after things that I want to accomplish. She is my constant reminder that I too can accomplish anything when I put forth all my effort.

Not only is she determined, but she is hard-working. She understands that things don't just fall into your lap. She knows that when you want something, you're going to have to work your butt off for it-- A lesson learned from our daddy. While I sometimes rely on luck, she brings me back to the real world when she reminds me that you can't expect to make an A on your exam when you didn't even study for an hour... Oops.

She is responsible. While I have always thought having a big sister meant gaining a third parent, she really just wants to see me succeed. She has been through some of the same situations I will face and always gives me words of encouragement to avoid some of the same mistakes. Sister knows best.

So now, I have finally achieved a happy medium. I no longer want to be exactly like her or the complete opposite. Instead I now see all the positive things that come from being compared to someone like her. While I may have went from choosing the same food on her plate when I was little to now driving her even more insane by borrowing clothes without asking, she will always be someone I look up to. Being compared to my sister is one of the best compliments I could get.