I have two older sisters, one is 28 years old and the other is about to turn 23. They have taught me more than school ever could, given me endless support, and been my first and best friends. This is a list of things I wish I’d said sooner, and things they need to know.

1. You mean more than the world to me.

It may be cheesy to start off with this, but right off the bat I need my sisters to know that I would go to the ends of the Earth for and with you. Sometimes I wish I wasn’t the youngest sibling, but other times it terrifies me to think that I would have had such an impact on someone else’s life. I’m glad that duty fell on you two and not me!

2. You’ve shown how a real friend should act.

When I was being bullied in gym class in junior high, you were the one who came to my rescue. I’m not sure what exactly you did, and I’m not sure that I need to know, but after I told you what was happening it never happened again. When I went through the worst break-up of my life, you were the one to go to his house and get my things and throw his things on his porch. To some people, it may have been no big deal, but you took that bag and I never saw it again. And for that I am forever grateful.

3. Watching you grow has been amazing.

Usually, this comes from the older sister. I know. Although I didn’t get to see you as little babies and physically grow-up, I’ve been able to see you two grow as people. I’ve seen you go from braces and nerd glasses to a fashion forward teacher, and strictly windbreaker pants and t-shirts to dresses and necklaces. I’ve seen how you handle situations and I’ve seen you adapt to new challenges. To my oldest sister, watching you go through college and continue to move forward in your career has motivated me and shown me that I need to strive for what I want. To my middle sister, watching you go from strictly windbreaker pants and t-shirts to dresses and necklaces has been the perfect caterpillar turned butterfly story. Seeing you get into and out of crazy situations has shown me that no matter where I find myself, I cannot give up who I am because of my surroundings.

4. You are the best kind of wake-up call.

While I may not appreciate it in the moment, calling me out when I do something or say something stupid is what I need more of. Some people are afraid to point out when I say something stupid or wrong, but my sisters are not afraid. I need more of that in my life as I learned my place in the world, and I’m glad that you keep me humble and honest.

5. I know I will always have a security blanket.

Whether it’s something simple like “boy problems,” or something complex like “how do I be an adult,” I can always turn to you to put an arm around my shoulder and guide me through. Not pushing me before I’m ready, not in front of me dragging me somewhere I don’t want to go, but right next to me pointing out options and helping me back up when I fall. Maybe letting me lean on you, too, when I break an ankle.

6. There’s no one I’d rather go on road trips with.

Ok, this is a small fib. Let me explain. I know I’m annoying on road trips. But you guys have to love me when we get out of the car and go our separate ways. And I know that I can talk to you the next day and it won’t be too terribly awkward. Plus, playing the “Don’t Smile” game after eight long hours in the car is one of my favorite things in the world.

7. You’re the first people I want to call after an emergency.

At least, after the police and owners of any property damaged. This one needs a little explanation. On February 7th, 2014 I was in a car crash during an open lunch period. I had two friends in the car with me when I was cut off and we crashed on the ice-covered road. I obviously called the cops first, then my parents because it was their car, but then I called my sister that was in town. My mom describes the moment that she came “as though you two hadn’t seen each other for years and years.” I had seen her probably two days before that. After all the legal things were taken care of, my middle sister took me to school to get my things, and then back to her house to calm down before a Free State High School basketball game that night that I needed to help direct the band for. I don’t know how I would’ve survived that night if my sister hadn’t taken me away from the crash. If I could have just called my sister and run away right off the bat, although illegal, I would’ve done it in a heartbeat. I need my sisters’ comfort and love in those times, and they are always there for me.

8. You know my tastes, and at least one of us does.

Whether I’m at a restaurant I’ve never been to, clothes shopping, or choosing a new pair of socks, you two are always the people I want to take with me. Heck, if I could have anyone choose my outfit every day, it would have to be you two. If I could have anyone be my personal chef, well, maybe you can help me find one that will make the things you know I’d like to try.

9. I’m glad you were the guinea pigs.

I’ve learned a lot from the both of you, and so have our parents. I appreciate that they learned how to handle girls before getting to me. You are both lovely, but I think a lot of the advice they’ve given me has been a direct experience from you two. When I was in that car crash, for example, they made sure not to talk about the car ever again.

10. You are warriors.

Of all the things I’ve learned from both of you, never giving up and always fighting for what I want has to be the biggest and most important one. There are too many stories that I could tell about how you’ve fought with or for me, for something you wanted in life, or something you knew wasn’t right. Everything from whom you work with, whom I’m friends with, or what you want to do with your life. I have the best role models in the world and I’m so proud that I get to call you my sisters.

11. I would never trade either of you for anything in the world.

No amount of money, object, or other person could make me wish that I wasn’t your sister. No matter how many fights we have, no matter how many items of clothing are stolen (completely on accident), and no matter what I go through or what you go through, my biggest wish for you two is that you know that there is nothing I would not do for you. I never say enough how much I love you, how much I wish I could do for you, and how much I appreciate everything you have taught me through my whole life. You may not have been able to pick your baby sister, but I’m ecstatic that I got the best sisters in the world.

There are a million other stories I could tell and a thousand other things I could add to this list, but these are things that I need to tell you more often. I’m sorry that it took me twenty years to say it, but better late than never, right?

With all the love in the world from your little sister,

Megan