Growing up with all brothers is not an ideal situation for any girl. There were times when I desperately wished I had a sister. I wanted someone to talk about boys with, go shopping with or get my nails done with. Not to mention, I always felt a little left out being the only girl surrounded by boys. It was like they were members of an elite club that I would never get into since I am a girl. However, after years of complaining inwardly about being the only girl, I now realize that I wouldn't have it any other way. To my wonderful brothers, here is why I am thankful for you.
Thank you for teaching me how to be tough. Crying in front of you was always embarrassing and I never wanted you to see me be weak, so I learned how to put on a brave face and tried not to be vulnerable. But we all know how emotional I am, so that didn't really go as planned.
Thank you for teaching me independence. Without having any sisters, I learned to do a lot of things on my own, and I am grateful for that. I am comfortable going out by myself to the store or library or salon, wherever it is I'm going, and I owe that to you guys for never wanting to tag along with me.
Thank you for showing me how to be comfortable in my own skin. You guys didn't wear makeup or do your hair and let's be honest, you never really did care all that much about what others thought of you. And I admired that, even if I never admitted that to you. So I took a page from your books and learned to be comfortable with who I am. (Don't get me wrong — it's totally OK to wear makeup and look nice for others. I respect those that put in the time and effort to look good. That's just not for me and I am grateful that my brothers taught me not to care so much about what others think of me.)
Lastly, thank you for loving me unconditionally. If I'm being 100 percent honest, I have messed up more times than I can count. We have fought, cried, yelled and given each other the silent treatment for days at a time. But at the end of all of it, we still love each other. From your forgiveness to me each time that I screw up, you have all taught me how to be a better person. You've taught me to look past someone's imperfections and mistakes and love them anyways.
Life was not easy growing up with only brothers. But at the end of the day, I know that I will always have three people in my corner that have my back. I love each of you so much; thank you for all that you've done for me.
