To my crazy and lovable sisters,

It’s not always easy growing up with such a big family, and sometimes it can be a little tough having so many sisters (four, to be exact) to be compared to, but I wouldn’t want it any other way. I’m so glad that I get to be both a little sister and a big sister, and now that we’re all older, and some of us live in different cities, I have started to realize all of the things I have learned being a sister and am so thankful for.

Thank you for teaching me how to be led and how to lead.

Older siblings (besides your parents) are the first people who help guide you in life. While when younger, you guys may have abused this position of power by making me do your chores (this practice, I will admit, I later adopted when our little sister grew old enough), now I know that this and other things taught me the right way to be a follower and also how to be a leader on my own when needed.

Thank you for teaching me how to take criticism and compliments.

Any younger sister knows that grade-school bullies pale in comparison with a group of sisters who have decided to gang up on another. Sisters may be your first critics in life, but at the end of the day, you’ve taught me some of the most valuable lessons in life about taking criticism in stride and also how to give and receive a compliment.

For being in the forefront of some of my greatest memories in life.

Every time I look back on a momentous or exciting occasion in my life, you guys were always there, either in a big or little way. No one understands where I come from and why I am the way I am better than the people who have experienced life with me.

For not (always) judging my fashion phases, and helping to fix them when they got a little too weird.

Not only have you been the best at helping decide what to buy or skip at the clothing store, but you’ve also taught me the value of sharing when you’ve generously opened your closets up to me.

For being my cheering section, anywhere that I go.

From actually cheering me on at my graduations and sporting events to the times when you picked up my calls or responded to my texts when I need a little encouragement or advice.

For giving me a place to stay.

Whether it was when we were younger and we shared rooms or cuddled up in bed when we wanted to talk, or now that we’re older and you’ve opened your homes to me for the night now that we live in the same city again or have let me come visit you for a fun Spring Break vacation, you’ve always been there for me. Not only this, but you have always given me a place that I belong.

Thank you for teaching me to be proud of who I am.

There is no one better to teach you this than sisters because not only do we look alike, but we also share similar characteristics. You’ve taught me to own my height and to love our ski-slope noses, but also shown me that it’s OK to be a little weird sometimes.

There are countless things that I owe to you, my sisters, that cannot be put into words, but most importantly, I just want to thank you for being you and for being my sisters.