Having a big sister is a blessing and a curse. They tease you, make fun of you, practice their make-up skills on you until you end up looking like a clown-- but there are redeeming qualities about big sisters. For example, they are the best teachers. My big sister was my role model, my mentor, my protector and my best friend. So in honor of my big sister and her awesomeness, here are 10 things my big sister taught me.

1. How to stand up for myself

My sister made sure to knock me down a few times, but it is better to be knocked down with care than by someone you mean nothing to. She made sure I knew how to stand up for myself, and when it was appropriate to do so.

2. How to take care of others

Not only did my big sister take care of me countless times, but she sometimes needed (and needs) me to take care of her too. We take care of each other, and that's what being sisters is really about.

3. How to share

This one is pretty self-explanatory. Anyone with a sibling knows that sharing is part of our daily lives, especially while growing up, whether or not we want it to be.

4. How to break the rules

This lesson is very important. There is a difference between being late for curfew and not coming home at all. My sister has been-there-done-that, and I've learned from her mistakes. I learned how to do things in a way my mom wouldn't find out, and how to get around parental control when the answer was no. By watching and talking to her, she showed me the do's and don'ts of breaking the rules.

5. Be my own person

When kids are growing up, at least for girls, we are constantly trying to figure out "who we are.” This often causes all sorts of phases including but not limited to: scene, goth, preppy, jock, hippie-- you name it. My sister went through a lot of these identity crises, but she knew something important long before I did, the best person you can be is yourself. Thankfully, before I got too into the crazy styles and embarrassing phases, she let me know that I didn't have to do all that stuff and be all those people because I am perfect the way I am. She taught me that following the crowd is overrated, and that I should just be my own person.

6. How to be a role model

Yes, my big sister showed me how to be a good role model (even to my own little sister), but she also showed me what notto be a role model for. (Sorry Sis.) When she was a teen and I was still a tween, I learned what not to do. After she grew up however, she showed me how to make an example out of myself, and how to be the person others can look up to because she is the person I look up to the most.

7. Family first

A prime example-- no boy is more important than sister time. She never cancelled our plans for some party or some guy, and she taught me that our family is more important than anything else. I have always been a top priority to her, and she takes pride in being my big sister. There is never a time she won't drop what she is doing if I really need her.

8. Respect others

My sister ingrained into me at a very young age to be tolerant of others and to respect people no matter what. If I wanted a ride to my friends but I was angry at her for stealing my shirt again, I had to respect her because she was the power holder, and I a mere unlicensed peasant. My big sister taught me that even if I dislike or am mad at a person, I still need to be respectful.

9. Respect myself

I am a diamond, precious cargo, and I deserve the best and brightest, according to my sister. She taught me not to settle, and not to let people (specifically guys) treat me badly. When I was in a relationship with a boy who disrespected me, my sister never shut up about how I deserved better-- and she was right. She made sure I knew how to respect myself, and even when I didn't want to listen, she was the one who convinced me I deserved so much more than I was giving myself.

10. How to be a best friend

I honestly don't know how people learn how to be a best friend without siblings. I know what it means to be able to tell someone anything. I know how to make up with a friend after a fight. I know how to force a friend to tell me something, and I know when I need to be tough and give my sister a reality check or when to shut up and be a shoulder to cry on. My big sister has been my rock my entire life, and she has shown me how to be a good friend by being the best friend anyone could ever ask for.

Thank you, big sis, for being such an amazing person, and for being my teacher.