Siblings - many people in this world have them, and many are difficult to get along with at a young age. For me, I spent 12 years of my life as an only child, always hoping I would get the lifelong playmate all of my friends had. While being an only child for so long had its perks, I still always wondered how different life would be if I had a younger brother or sister. Little did I know, I would soon find out how exciting, crazy, and emotional life could be.

I was in the sixth grade when my dad and stepmom broke the news that I would become a big sister. All kinds of emotions raced through my mind, and all I could think about was "I can't believe I'm going to be a big sister," despite my being 12 years older. It did scare me, however, that I would be so much older than my sibling. How would we be so close if we're 12 years apart? Would it be weird that I'll be 30 when they graduate high school? How would a teenager feel about being an aunt or uncle? As much as I dwelled on these thoughts and concerns, the eventual knowledge that I would be having a little sister eased my mind tremendously.

Patience is one virtue I could not keep while anxiously awaiting the arrival of my little sister. To ease the tension, I bought her gifts, wrote her name all over my notebooks and told everyone I could that I would have a little sister in the summer. Finally, after a long-awaited 9-months, Annika Gabrielle came into the world and changed my life for the better. Although we were so far apart in age, I could feel all the love and protectiveness that comes with being a sibling.

Annika and I

I suddenly began to change internally, watching what I would say and do because I wanted to be a role model for my little sister, even if she was only a baby. My actions suddenly had repercussions that reflect on who I am, and all I wanted to be was the best older sister I could possibly be. Even now, six years later, I keep this sense of precaution and humility whenever I choose to do anything. Having such a large age gap between my sisters and I (Alexandria Layne came into the picture when I was 15) has ultimately made me realize how I should carry myself so that my younger sisters strive to be their best too.

Alex and I

Now, after all the mushy-gushy talk, it's time to share a few of the perks that comes with this age gap. One of them is definitely being able to show off your sisters to your friends. I mean, who wouldn't get excited to see a cute little baby after an exhausting, strenuous day? Oh, and did I mention it becomes socially acceptable to trick-or-treat as a teenager? It's the "Oldest Sibling Code" that you get a certain percentage of the loot. That's just facts. Also, with two sisters below the age of seven, any silly behavior is accepted. After all, you're in the princess dress because they wanted to play princess. You also immediately become the best family member they have once you start driving. It calls for spontaneous trips to get ice cream and the best birthdays at Build-A-Bear Workshop yet. To say the least, a 12-year gap means you have a lot more room to be the cool big sister all of her friends know you to be.

One of the many ice cream dates with Alex

Of course, everything has its downsides as well. Being so much older, you are more apt to spending less of your weekends at home and more of them with your friends. You have never felt heartbreak until you have seen 3-year old Alex, standing at the glass door, crying as your car turns away from your house. At that point, we were both crying enough to end a 7-year drought. Along with this comes the inability to always protect them, which is a tough pill to swallow. When someone makes fun of my sisters, or is mean to them in any way, it's difficult for me not to get upset. Sure, I can't go off on another 6-year old for Annika, but I can imagine doing it all I want. As difficult as it may be, you have to give them some room to grow from their experiences.

Though we may not be close in age, I have no problem admitting that two of my best friends are 6 and 3 years old. College may have put some distance between us, but there's no stopping the love I have for my sisters.

(L-R): Alex, Me, Annika