I am the youngest of four kids in my family. I’ve learned over the years that no matter what, your family is one of the few things that will always be there for you in life. My siblings taught me that. They taught me that when everyone else fails to care, when everyone else would rather stay quiet than stick up for you, when everyone else thinks of themselves first; your family will be there for you, every single time. And being the youngest, I’ve learned so much more from all three of my siblings. We would be here all day if I told you everything they’ve taught me, but let me just start with these few things.

Never give up.

I’ve quit a lot of things in my life (mostly sports). Whenever something got too hard, I just simply gave up and figured that I wasn’t good enough to do it. But my siblings taught me that giving up is not an option. My brother wanted to go to Notre Dame University since he was little. It was his dream. And when he didn’t get in for undergrad, he went away to school somewhere else. But he didn’t give up. He worked really hard in undergrad. He joined clubs and had three internships. When it came time to apply to grad school to get his masters in accounting, he applied to Notre Dame again. And you know what? He got in. And when people told him it was too expensive, he went anyways. Because you don’t give up on your dreams.

Your situation is what you make of it.

I’m going to admit, I’m the type of person to sulk about the little things. If things don’t go the way I planned on them going, I tend to let it ruin my day, my week, sometimes even my month. But my siblings have taught me that no matter what your situation is, good or bad, you have the choice to make it what you want it to be. You have the choice to make things great, even when they’re not great. You make the best out of every situation.

Life is too short to not be happy.

My older siblings have taught me that happiness is the most important thing in life. We have lost too many people in our lives, young and old, to waste the time we do have being miserable. If something in your life is making you unhappy, change it. Talk it out. Break up with the person who is holding you down. Quit the job that makes you miserable. End friendships that take more away from your life than they add. Move to a new city. Take risks. Love life. Be Happy.

Don’t hold a grudge.

When you get in a lot of fights with your siblings (and trust me, I have), you realize that grudges just make you bitter. My siblings have taught me, that no matter what, even if things are said that shouldn’t be, even if punches are thrown, even if you feel like they don’t deserve an apology; say sorry, move on, and forgive. You never know what life will throw at you to make you regret holding a grudge.

Love conquers all.

This has to be the most important lesson my siblings have taught me. Each one of my siblings are the most accepting people I know. We do not see religion, color, sexual orientation. We see a person, just like us. They have taught me that hate is not worth having. They have taught me that no one person is more important than another. They have taught me to respect, and to love. They have taught me that love conquers all.

To my siblings, who have taught me everything I know: You are inspiring. You are amazing. You are smart. You are kind. You are wonderful. And I love you.