Whether it be in school, an interview, or a simple icebreaker, “Who is your role model” is a typical question that we all have been asked. For me, this answer has always come easily. Since the moment I was born, I was blessed with three role models to grow up alongside. They have shaped me into the woman I am today. So my answer to this question has always been this: my sisters.
In general, siblings are a blessing for so many of us. Growing up alongside them truly helps aid in a child’s overall development and then growth into adulthood. Learning to share (admit it, we always end up loving our hand me downs), problem solve and stand up for ourselves are lifelong lessons we all need.
Our siblings became our first best friends. Half of this comes from the fact that we were with each other everyday of our childhood. The other half is due to the fact that they know us so well. Our favorite food? Song? Celebrity crush? Without having to even think about it, they come up with a response immediately. And sometimes, they know us even better than we know ourselves.
As my sisters and I belted Carrie Underwood songs in the car or watched the U.S Women's Soccer Team win the World Cup, we have created similar role models that we all adore. However, I don't think they've ever realized that the person I most want to be is one identical to them.
When I was little, I never felt like I could do anything as perfectly as they did. Any simple task they were doing seemed impeccable in my eyes. As a four year old, hearing their versions of "Tomorrow" or "Animal Crackers in My Soup" made me believe they would become professional singers some day. (Sorry, but watching our home videos now, they were completely off-key). Helplessly, I was jealous of all their infinite accomplishments and personal attributes.
Being the youngest, I was constantly dragged along to watch their little league or soccer games. At first, I would complain since the games were way too early in the morning. But as I watched from the sidelines, I was more than happy to be their biggest fan. Afterwards, I would go in our backyard to try to master my eldest sister's flawless around-the-world or try to kick the ball as far as my other sister could.
Come high school, I felt like the coolest freshman ever. I would walk down the hallways and always have someone screaming my name.Whether it be my sisters trying to embarrass me or their best friends greeting me, I always had a smile on my face.
With teachers or upperclassmen already knowing me because of my sister's reputations, my freshman year was a breeze. Whenever I was told I looked just like my sisters, I would grin from ear to ear. Because of them, I was always so proud to bear my family's last name.
If I was struggling with problems in school, friendships, or relationships, their opinions always came first because I knew that anything I was currently going through, they have been there before and survived it.
I have endless lessons in my back pocket of things they taught me in order to become a young woman. I owe them my skills of knowing how to curl hair, apply eyeshadow, or match various parts of an outfit.
I would watch them talk to boys in complete awe. To this day, I wouldn't know how to speak to guys for more than two minutes if I didn't have them take my phone to text my first crush back. At first, I was a bit weirded out when they both first started dating. But I grew accustomed to it, and when their relationships failed, their ability to move on from a boy who broke their hearts taught me that I don't need a boyfriend to define my worth. When it came to be my time to feel broken, they always picked up the pieces. And although it hasn't been necessary yet, my older brother is our secret weapon to defend us.
In our family's dynamics, I have always been coddled as the baby of the family. I'm not going to lie, it's been great getting endlessly spoiled. But what I am most grateful for is that if we had any type of issue in my family, my sisters would come to me first and make sure that I was okay. Tight hugs in our bedrooms reminded me that whatever the crisis may be, we would make it through, together.
These hardships that we fearlessly tackled have formed our tightly knit friendships that we have with each other today. In recent years especially, they have made me incredibly proud to be their youngest sister. On their own, they have been through misfortunes and difficult decisions that would seem unimaginable to some, but they always make it through without any complaint. This is the main reason why I look up to my sisters more than anyone out there.
Their love is unconditional. Anytime I need them, they’re there by my side or answering every call or text, ready to walk me through any crisis I find myself in. However, at this point in my life, I have realized that I don't need them constantly at my side to coach me. Because of them, I have something to always strive for, a person to always aim to be. They are my guideposts, my constant goals, my role models.
