I grew up as the baby girl of the family, I have two older brothers that are five and eight years older than me. I never had to experience waiting for the bathroom while my older sister got ready or my little sister stealing my clothes. Instead, I got held upside down by my ankles while I got tickled and teased about how I don’t know the difference between a gigabyte and a gigawatt.
It's easy to admire the girls that are older than me because they’re what I want to be. Especially my best friend, who is two years older than me. We've been friends for 15 years and she was always one step ahead of me. We dreamt about our prom dresses and she went to prom first. We dreamt about having boyfriends and she started dating first. She lived a hop, skip and a jump away so even if we couldn’t have a sleepover, she’d be at my front door bright and early still in her PJ’s. She’s without a doubt the closest thing I’ll ever have as a sister. Even though once we hit our teenage years we didn’t get to see each other as much, we still chat like we didn’t skip a beat when she’s home from school breaks. We’re still dreaming about our wedding days, being each other’s maid of honor and helping plan baby showers. I’ve watched her grow up into this incredible, strong woman and I’m so proud to say she’s the person I look up to the most.
As for my cousins. You are my family and I look up to you both so much. You've always been so real with me and I'm glad I have women like you that know to give me advice that's in my best interest. You were there for me when from my very beginning. Even the day I was born you were bummed I wasn't getting dinner with the family that night. Cousins are special because they're like friend-sisters. We're blood first and friends second and I'm so glad that you're the ones I'm stuck with.
Whether you’re older or younger than me, my best friend soulmate from high school, my brother's girlfriend, a little girl I babysit or a friend that’s still in high school, you’re really important to me. I'd give you each your own article if I could. I never had a sister to share special moments with so if you’re older than me there’s a really good chance I look up to you as a role model, that’s why I try to be the best role model that I can be to the girls that are younger than me in my life.
Thank you to anyone who has touched my life, even in non-specific ways. Being someone I can laugh and eat food with is all it takes.
