“You don’t choose your family. They are God’s gift to you, as you are to them.” –Desmond Tutu

Growing up, we were all pretty close, and we did everything together. I can’t remember a day that at least one of you wasn’t around to talk to or hang out with.

Although I did not enjoy being shot with nerf guns or having duct tape thrown at my head, I did enjoy the many things we got to do together. From family trips to the beach to pumpkin carving in the front yard, there wasn’t a time that I was ever alone to do anything by myself, and for that I am grateful.

I can’t imagine my life without you guys. There is never a dull day in our family and I wouldn’t have it any other way. From peanut butter sandwiches on the ceiling to holes in the wall, thank y’all for never failing to make me laugh (and cry).

But now here we are, years later, and you guys aren’t around anymore. You have all made it to college and are becoming adults, and I’m still here waiting for my turn. I see y’all buying cars and joining sororities, and it makes me think of all the times we spent on the couch watching movies or playing Uno on family game night (we all know dad ALWAYS cheated).

So I just want to thank you for all the memories we have shared together in the last 16 years. I know y’all weren’t excited to have another sister, but I was always proud of you guys. You are the best siblings a girl could ask for.

Thank you for our hilarious group message we have, where we make fun of people and just talk about anything and everything. You guys have no idea how you have impacted my life and how much of an influence you have on me. Each one of you has a characteristic that I hope I can live up to someday. Thank y’all for the endless advice and the constant support in whatever I decided to do.

Although we are all spilt up and going in different directions, there isn’t a day that I don’t miss each of you. Y’all are my whole world, my best friends and the best brothers and sisters a girl could ask for. My love for each of you is beyond compare, and I can’t wait for the holidays so we can all be together once again.

So to the biggest blessing in my life, thank you for everything you have given me. You guys have lived without me, but I haven’t lived without you guys, so thank you for making my life very interesting. Even though I want to kill y’all most of the time, I love each of you with all of my heart and I am so blessed to have the greatest siblings in the world.