"Mom, he hit me, mom he's not letting me change the channel, mom, mom MOM!" Is all my mother would hear when my brother and I were growing. This happened everyday.

With being the only girl on my dads side, and my other cousins living three hours away, there was no way I was going to be raised as one of the girls.

4.Dresses weren't an option

My mother tried to put me in dresses whenever she could, but shortly after putting it on I had to switch into gym shorts and a t-shirt because the boys wanted to play basketball or roll down the hill until we got dizzy.

3. Bruises and scrapes doubled as makeup

We all know that when parents say be careful, they know that you won't be. Us younger kids took at to a whole another level. We played no rule basketball in the streets running back into my grandmothers yard when a car would turn the corner, tackle football. The boys didn't go easy on me, and I didn't expect them to. I was "one of the boys".

This experience growing up shaped me into the woman that I am now.

2. I'm Mentally Stronger.

Growing up around them helped my understand the various reactions when I would say something or do something they didn't particularly like. Such as hiding one of their favorite toys to telling on them if they did something my mom or aunt didn't approve of, (this happened everyday). But what's the only girl to do? Let them get away with it?

No, that wouldn't be entertaining for me.

The boys being tough on me helped me prepare for college with the different culture and diversity of people I interact with, and will continue to interact with after graduation.

1. I know a lot about sports

When you grow up around boys you are bound to watch at least one sports game in your life. I was full engrossed with sports by the time I was five. My brother and I are five years apart so whatever he did I did. From playing basketball for our church, joining the community soccer league, to playing various rounds of madden still it was bedtime. Each year I found myself researching plays, calls, and positions so when I started a conversation during a game, they would see that I knew what I was talking about.

Now at twenty-two I have grown to love basketball, football, and hockey, and sadly, not golf (sorry grandpa).

For those girls who have grown up around boys, never be afraid to dress how you want or say what you want. But always ALWAYS remember where you came from. I will always be known as "one of the boys."