My siblings and I have never fully gotten along. Let's just get that out there. We fight, and when I say fight I don't always just mean with words. We've gotten into literal fist fights over who gets to sit "shotgun" in mom's car. Being a big sister has never come easy and it never will.

Let's define sister, shall we? Well, according to Google, a sister is "a woman or girl in relation to other daughters and sons of her parents." Let me just tell you that being a sister is much more than being related by blood. I consider myself to have quite a few sisters and brothers when technically I'm only related to three sisters and one brother. I also have a long line of other brothers and sisters who I am not technically related to but who I grew up with. But mainly, I consider my best friends a part of my family too. Being a big sister, you some huge shoes to fill. They come to you with every little thing because they know they can trust you, and that is the most important factor.

Being a big sister means always having an open mind.

My siblings always come to me with things they know they can trust me with. Having an open mind and sometimes a shoulder to cry on is all they need. My family has made some questionable decisions, but you always have to be there for them no matter what they decide. That is what family is about. If they made the wrong decision usually they will figure it out very quickly, and all you can do is be there for them when they do.

Being a big sister means being a best friend who can't leave.

When I was younger my siblings and my cousins were my best friends automatically. We would play outside together literally until the street lights came on or it was time for dinner. Now that I am 20 years old and in college, my siblings and my cousins all have gone their different directions, but they are always there for me when we need to talk or I have to make a tough decision. They're my best friends for life.

Being a big sister means sometimes having disagreements.

When you grow up together or you see them all the time, it can be hard not to fight with them. We fight and we argue, but at the end of the day you just have to love them because they're family. That's just how it works.

Being a big sister means stealing clothes.

If you have a sister who is roughly the same size as you, it's like having two closets for the price of one! JUST KIDDING. Being the big sister means you GET your clothes stolen, constantly. It's not a choice, it just happens. You fight, they wear the clothes, they give them back, you get over it. It's the way sisterhood works.

Being a big sister means your little sister or brother is probably the favorite.

If you are the oldest in the family, you probably feel this on a spiritual level. Being the oldest means you are your parents' play-doh. You're the one who they do all the test runs on. Because let's be honest, your little siblings can do no wrong. It's the universal way of life.

But best of all, being a big sister means unconditional love.

You can do all the wrong in the world, your sibling will always look up to you. You are their role model; the person who teaches them how to fly. And they will always love you for that.