To all the big sisters out there, what do we all have in common? Besides being our parent's favorite; we all have these little human beings that instantly took the only child title away, made being spoiled rotten a little less rotten, and gave us a whole new meaning to our lives. No longer was it just us, learning things for ourselves but we now have another set of eyes wanting to do what we're doing, wear what we're wearing, and be just like us. These are just 20 of the many things that we owe a thank you to our little sisters for.
20. Being My Biggest Pain
Imagine this, you go on Instagram after a long day of school just to stumble upon a picture of your little sister smiling ear-to-ear in a selfie wearing, you know, just your favorite top you just bought from your favorite store. But! When you go to your room to obviously find it missing, it's hanging up, with the tag still on it, just perfectly enough to make you look insane for thinking that that was actually your shirt in her selfie. How does one prove to mom that she did really steal your brand new shirt? You simply don't. Your sister 1, you 0.
19. Teaching Me Patience
For as long as I could remember, I was the center of attention. I was walking, talking, laughing, and growing teeth before you; I was taller, smarter, funnier, and understood things a lot more than you could. When you came into my life, I felt like a hurricane had hit the area; my world was coming to a screeching halt, and my spot light was dimmed if not shut off completely. But you taught me patience. As we taught you how to talk, I couldn't get mad when all you could say was the beginning letter of my name. And, even now, walking you through the halls of the high school showing you where you'll be going in the fall, I needed to be patient because you had never been here before, and learning to slow down has helped me tremendously in my everyday life.
18. For Always Making Me Smile
On my roughest days, I can come home, starting ripping my clothes off to get into my pajamas, will have tears streaming down my face, and my rant won't be quite finished yet, but you somehow always find a way to make me smile.
17. For Being Honest With Me
It's hard at times for people to tell you things that you don't want to hear. They often worry about how you may take it, fearing that you may get angry at them for telling you the truth. You don't hold back a single word. Easy to say or not, you're ready to say whatever needs to be said, whether it be, "he's just not that into you," or "those shorts don't look as cute as you think they do," or "go nap because you're being mean." Whatever it is, I will never have to worry about it not being said.
16. For Being My Favorite Person to Watch Movies With
You are always there to cuddle, whether I want your hugs or invitation to wrestle or not; you relentlessly snuggle next to me on the couch. I used to hate sharing the same couch with you, and mom and dad could almost always put money on us fighting within 30 seconds of me sitting down next to you, but these days, I love those little moments where we can enjoy the same movies.
15. For Being the Reason I Love My Childhood Memories
When I think of being little, I think of mom and grandma putting us in matching Gap outfits, or riding rides together at amusement parks. I laugh when I remember mom taking pictures of us in our halter tops on the deck while we let our popsicles met down our chins and down our little bellies. I picture Bath & Body Works Bath Foam Bikinis and the foam platform flip flops you lived in the first six years of your life. I think of how proud I was the day I became a big sister and all of the plans I was so excited to make with you now that I had someone to do them with. I couldn't wait for you to grow up to be my best friend, and now that you're growing, I wish I could get you to slow down.
14. For Allowing Me to Mess Up
It's a crazy expectation for someone to be perfect. But some people do expect that of others. You don't. I appreciate you laughing at my imperfections with me, accepting me for being wrong sometimes, and for allowing me to continue learning. I know you look up to me, but even role models need guidance sometimes.
13.For Making Me Stronger
On the days I came home from school, with a heavy heart, upset about a friend, a grade, or a stupid boy, you have been my constant reminder to keep a smile on my face. You are consistently the reason why I don't fall apart every single time life drags me down. What kind of big sister would I be if I couldn't bounce back from a heartbreak, set back, or hardship? You need to have people in your life who are strong, positive, and want the best for you always. I will forever be that person for you.
12. For Making Me So Proud of You
When I look at you, I see someone who's independent, passionate, smart, funny, and charismatic. I see someone who has so much potential, and someone waiting to grasp each and every opportunity that comes her way. You've always been someone who marches to beat of her own drum and a little lady who's so sure of herself, so confident, and someone who is proud of herself. I admire who you are, who you're becoming, and who you will be. I sometimes wonder who the big sister is and who's learning from who? But just because you're younger, does not mean there's nothing to learn from you, and I am so grateful for the fact that you are continuously teaching me how to better myself.
11. For Being my Best Friend
Mom and Grandma have told me forever and ever that one day, we won't wrestle around the living room, and I won't need to use my locking door knob to keep you from stealing my clothes. Most times I just rolled my eyes, and took their advice ever so lightly; but looking at what they've told us now, I couldn't be happier or more excited about the way that our relationship is blossoming. A sister is someone we start our lives off just watching over, playing dress up with, or fighting over who gets to sit shot-gun in the front seat once you weighed enough to sit there. As we've gotten older, you've become the brat that never puts a new toilet paper roll on the dispenser, and the one I can find wearing my clothes. But as I've grown older, I've watched relationships start, and sometimes end, boys, come and go, and friends backstab, and leave. But the one thing that has remained constant is you. And I'm eternally grateful for what we have and will for years to come.
10. For Choosing Me as Your Role Model
I never knew the significance of being a role model to someone, until you came around. It wasn't until we were in an American Eagle dressing room that you and I both came out of our rooms wearing the same exact shirt just in different colors, that I realized that you have watched me, and you have learned from me. Although you'll never admit it to me, we all have known all along, that you have wanted to be me at some points as we were growing up. And that, is the biggest honor I have ever had as a big sister.
9. For Being My Biggest Fan
It takes a lot to be a sibling. It takes patience, and compromise, arguing, and forgiving, laughing, and even sometimes crying. But the pay off is, doing what you love, working your hardest to get to where you want to be, and looking into the stands, the bleachers, down the third base line, to see not only your parents smiling ear-to-ear, but your sister, eyes gleaming with pride. I cannot thank you enough for spending your Fridays, always your Saturdays, and most times your Sundays, sitting beside a softball field for the past six years of your life. It has meant the World to me to have you there, and you can count on my attendance for all the events in your life, whether they're big, or small.
8. For Being My Shoulder to Lean On
Whether I storm into your bedroom after I bickered with mom, I'm PMS, or the boy I have a crush on isn't answering a text. You always seem to have the answers to my problems. Although you're sometimes reluctant, you somehow try to see my side of things, and you always offer up your best advice. I thank you for that. 
7. For Giving Me a New Perspective
As I have mentioned before, I am always learning from you. It could be a new slang word, what's going on on social media, or even what the kids your age are doing. You have opened my eyes to so many different kids people of many different ages. You've taught me how you would solve a problem, approach a situation, or what is "normal" to being doing. The one trend I will never catch onto, is using the word "Ridic" as opposed to Ridiculous, or "Sorr" instead or "sorry." There are some trends your sister isn't cool enough to pull off, and this is one.
6. For Bringing the Light to All Situations
Your sense of humor is hilarious, your dancing makes me laugh, your snarky comments make me wonder where we got you from. But nonetheless, every sticky situation is a little less stressful having you around.
5. For Making Me Seem Like I Have My Life Together
I do, I promise I do. But, since you are the younger sister, and because you haven't "been there" yet, you're still learning. And with that, you're making mistakes, like brushing your hair over the sink and clogging the drain, or using a whole bottle of shaving cream to shave one leg. But! The good news is, when you make these mistakes, you make it seem like I have it all figured out. And with that, you definitely give my confidence a huge boost, so I thank you for that. It's a learning experience, being a little lady, and we will never have it all figured out. Your shirt will never be perfectly ironed, it will never be a good idea to straighten your hair when it's raining, it's always smart to carry extra tampons, a pack of gum, and a travel deodorant in your purse. These are all things you will learn, so it is OK to be lost for right now, you're getting there!
4. For Trusting Me
Trust is hard to come by these days. Far too often, we give it out too freely, we do it too often, and we share it with the wrong people and there are even people who we think we can trust, but can't; But! here's the thing about having a sister, sisters are people that trust each other. I'm proud to know, and to be able to say that you trust me, and I trust you. Whether it be to not tell mom when I come in a little past curfew, or not to bring up a boy's name in the middle of the dinner table; Being able to trust you, and confide in you, is forever rewarding, and something I take a comfort in having with you.
3. For Fighting With Me
I never thought I would be saying this. Why would I be thankful for you fighting with me? Well, as we've gotten older, and the fights were no longer over who got to pick out the movie we watched that night, or whether we went to Famous Dave's or Apple Bee's for dinner, or about stealing each other's hair ties. We started to argue about things that mattered. So we think they do. But arguing with you throughout the years, has taught me to pick and choose my battles, and to choose wisely. You've shown me how to compromise, let go of some things, and how to move on after not getting my way. These are all important lessons that contribute to who I am today.
2. For Not Allowing Me To Go Through This Life Ever Feeling Alone
From the moment I found out that I was becoming a big sister, I felt an indescribable happiness. Of course, it's hard to believe that a three old can remember that feeling; but I still vaguely remember holding you for the first time, and the smile on my face in all of those pictures mom took of those moments, truly says it all. It was in that time that I realized I would never have to go through life alone. God gave me you, a best friend, a play mate, a secret keeper, a clothes stealer, a person to laugh with, cry with, hang out with, and the aunt to my future babies. We have each other for the good times, the bad times, and to make memories together for the rest of our lives. When I wonder if there's a better gift than that? The answer will always be no.
1. For Loving Me Unconditionally
I know I'm hard to deal with, really annoying, and sometimes you wish I would just go away; but I'm not going anywhere. I'm so lucky I have you, and for the fact that you always put up with me no matter how hard it may be. I thank you for all that you bring to my life and to our family. I love you more!
