To the ones I look up to, my older brother and sister, this one’s for you:

In all the craziness that’s been coming to college and starting new, joining a sorority and gaining hundreds of new sisters, don’t for a second think I’ve forgotten about you. I’ve actually thought of a million reasons to thank you, but here’s just a few.

Thank you for making me tough.

From that time you both hung me to the door by underwear, and the countless times you held me down and “beat me up”, all along you were making me tough. While I haven’t needed the physical toughness yet (and sincerely hope that I don’t), I’ve needed, and will always need the “roll with the punches but stick up for yourself” attitude I got from both of you. You taught me that no matter where I go or what I do, there may always be someone older, smarter, stronger, smarter, better, but that doesn’t decrease the value of what I have to say or what I can do. In case you didn’t notice, I spent a lot of my life trying to be half as great as both of you, and because of that, I know that whatever comes my way, whatever challenges I may face, I can do it too.

Thank you for sometimes screwing up.

I can not tell you how much I learned watching you two grow up. From all of the times you messed up, I learned a thing or two about what not to do. But I also have and will continue to learn a lot of those things the hard way, and every time I do you understand and are there to help me through. I know that whatever mistake I make, I have you, and if you overcame yours, I can do it too.

Thank you for always taking care of me.

You were mom and dad every time mom and dad temporarily couldn’t be mom and dad, from driving me around and always getting me food, to taking care of me when they went out of town, you did so many things for me that I didn’t even realize all of the stuff I had never had to do. You’re probably shocked that I am surviving at college at all, (going to the doctor by myself, microwaving my own food, even doing laundry) but a lot of it is thanks to you. I know you had to grow up and always take care of me, and now it’s my turn to learn that I can do it too.

Thank you for giving me hope.

One of the hardest things about being at school is trying to figure out where on earth my life is heading, especially on days when I feel as directionless and empty as can be, but watching the two of you do what you do has given me hope. You both chose to do what you love. You both invest your all into the things you are most passionate about, and are going to make your way in life doing exactly that. I see how good you both are at what you do- your music and your teaching- and while I doubt I can follow either of those paths, I know that I want to follow your example. I want to chase my dreams, find something I love and know that I can do it too.

Thank you for being people I look up to.

I hope that one day, when I have nieces and nephews that look just like you, I can do it too.