You're more like my big little brother, right? Over the past 16 years, we have lived on the same Earth together, and we have been inseparable. Always causing trouble and having the time of our lives whenever we are together. For the longest time, I thought you were the most annoying person ever, the bane of my existence, (and sometimes I still think you are) but as much as I make fun of you, I still love you. That being said, I do have quite a few things to thank you for.

Thank you for always having my back.

I will always remember all the times that you convinced Mom to let me out of the time-out chair, or to give me back my toys. You were so young and couldn't even pronounce my name correctly, but it always did the trick. Today, you are still the one who has to mediate every argument.

Thank you for teaching me patience.

If I didn't have to share the house with a sibling, I would probably be the most high maintenance, impatient, obnoxious person out there. If you weren't there to shatter my mirror with a baseball bat, to bother me while I was doing homework, blast your horrible music, or to shove snow in my face while shoveling, I wouldn't be nearly as tolerant as I am today.

Thank you for always telling the truth.

You're probably the only person who will tell me I look bad in an outfit or my hair looks greasy, on a regular basis. When we used to drive to school together, I knew I could always count on you to make sure I looked A plus.

Thank you for being brave.

For so long, I have admired your strength -- not only physically but mentally. Whether it was the two surgeries for your broken arm, or not making the basketball team, you never let anything get you down. If I broke my arm playing football and had to endure the same amount of pain you did, I probably never would have gotten back onto the field. Not only were you looking forward to start high school football, you worked tirelessly to prepare yourself for an amazingly successful freshman season. If I had even a fraction of your perseverance, I would be satisfied.

Thank you for being my partner in crime.

Ganging up on Mom and Dad is one of my favorite past times. Without you it wouldn't be nearly as fun -- mostly because I would just get in trouble if you weren't there. I love making late night food runs (even to the sketchy fro-yo place downtown) and dragging you to the mall when I need some retail therapy. And I can't forget all the times we've belted out our favorite Justin Bieber songs in the car while my voice cracks and you actually sound good. "Is it too late now to say sorry?"

Thank you for being my first friend.

Having a sibling really is a blessing in disguise. Even if I don't like you, sometimes, I will always love you no matter what. Mutually, we taught each other what it means to be loyal, a good listener, and have a great sense of humor. Not many people can make me laugh so hard that I cry, get an ab workout, and pee my pants like a 40-year-old mom of two, all at the same time. I know for the rest of our lives, friends will come and go, but we will have each other forever.

Thank you for setting a good example.

You can even be quite the gentleman, sometimes. You treat your girlfriend with respect, stand up for her, and care greatly for her. One day you will make a fantastic husband, and not to get weird, but I hope my husband is just like you and has all the same qualities.

Thank you for keeping me young.

I'm only two and a half years older than you, but for some reason I have the technology capabilities of a grandparent and always need you to teach me how to do things on my computer and fix my phone (especially when you change it from English to Spanish without telling me). Also, who else would have taught me how to dougie, dab, and hit the quan like a pro?

Thank you for loving me unconditionally.

Even when I used to incessantly hit you in the face with a paddle ball.

We are very different in many ways, but we are constantly learning from each other. Whether it's me showing you how to do your geometry homework, or you teaching me how to play video games (neither of which will help us in the long run), it's just nice to be together. Even though I was the one that showed you the ropes and taught you almost everything you know, I will always admire you. Life just wouldn't be the same without you.