It takes a lot of points in life to appreciate the things and the people you have. I believe sisters, in particular, can have a tumultuous beginning. The early years of sisterhood are plagued with arguments of who stole who’s clothes, who’s actually Dad’s favorite, and a constant stream of small shouting matches that result in fake tears and the beloved “you’re the ugly sister” catch phrase.

However, the amazing thing about a sister is they’re the only ones that can say that. The older you grow together, the stronger that inherited loyalty becomes. The realization clicks when you see the real tears fall, the first time you hear your sister breakdown from another person is when things get serious. That breakdown makes you want to break things, that front-line in the war mentality kicks in and that annoying sister that you want to kick sometimes becomes your sister that only you can save.

Sisters are a lot like wine, they get better with age. There is something so magical about growing with someone and experiencing life’s highs and hardships. Throughout life, you meet people and for points of time they’re the closest thing you have, but for some of those people we either drift apart or outgrow them. However, a sister is literally built into that growth, there is no drifting or outgrowing. You’re more or less stuck with them for life. At times (mostly in the younger years and the occasional disagreement) this seems like a curse more than a blessing, but then you grow up and you become thankful for the forever friend that God chose to give you.

You come to realize that for the rest of your life you have a protector, a safety net, a shoulder to cry on, a drinking partner, you realize your kids will have an amazing Aunt and basically a second Mom. You realize you have a cheerleader, always in your corner, never in competition with you and never letting you settle for less than you can offer or less than you deserve. You realize that if there every comes a day where a boy breaks your heart that your sister already has the ski mask and get-away car ready to roll. You realize you have a partner in crime, who would bail you out of jail (or call Mom to bail us both out). All in all, they’re great and invaluable pieces of the village that raised you, whether you know it or not.

Sisters are pretty bomb, make sure they know that.