You have changed my life. There is nothing that has more defined who I am than being your big sister. I'm away at college now, and that's been strange. Suddenly I am not as much a part of your life as I had been before. Having hundreds of miles between us has changed a lot of things, but it hasn't and will never change how much I love you and how much I am proud of you.

There's enough of an age difference between us that I can remember each of you coming home from the hospital, and I definitely remember how cool it was to suddenly have another sister or brother. A little sibling who I was the boss of (or so I thought), who I was a role model to and who annoyingly copied my every move.

Siblinghood certainly wasn't without its trials. There were definitely some bruises and bite marks involved in our growing up. I admit you drove me absolutely insane when you borrowed my clothes, trailed behind me and my friends, and for some reason were allowed to everything at a younger age than I was. We grew up and I became not only a big sister but a babysitter and a chauffeur. Then you reached the age where you didn't need to be babysat anymore though for some reason the stinky soccer carpools soldiered on.

Things are a little different now. I don't live at home most of the year and that's really weird. I'm not always keeping an eye on you or driving you to school. And you're growing up, without me.

Could you stop, please? Stop surpassing me in height. Stop graduating elementary and middle school. Stop being old enough to have boyfriends and girlfriends.

I know that's an unfair thing to ask. After all, I grew up didn't I? So I guess you should be allowed to as well, and as much as I miss the little kids that you all still are in my head, I am so proud of who you're becoming.

I love hearing about your good grades in school, your winning lacrosse tournament and making the high school soccer team. Maybe I don't tell you enough. Maybe you think because I'm not home all the time that I somehow care less.

Nothing could be less true. I love college. I love my life here, but I also love you guys. I miss being home and blaring "Bohemian Rhapsody" in the car with you. I even miss having someone to argue with all the time. And it sucks not being around for birthdays and important occasions. But that doesn't change how much I love you guys, or how proud of you I am. You all are growing up, and as much as I wish I could shrink you back down to when you really were my little sisters and brother, you all are really amazing people. Keep doing what you're doing. Someday I'm going to get to say that my annoying little siblings are out there changing the world.