My sister and I have always been close in age. About 17 months apart to be more exact. Being that close in age, we often fought on the regular. We just did not get along. If it was not one thing it was another; we just always were fighting about something. Now that we have both grown up and moved out of the house to go to college, things have gotten a lot better. It is strange how not being forced to live in the same space as someone can change your relationship. Here are 5 reasons why I am grateful that I have a sister:

1. She's always there for me and always helps me when I need her.

I know when I feel like I have no one I can talk to that I can call her. She is always willing to listen to whatever I have to say and usually provides me with some pretty solid advice. She always provides me with new insight and ideas. So for her kindness and lack of judgement towards me, I am grateful.

2. She's unselfish.

Growing up I may have begged to differ but my sister is probably one of the most unselfish people I know. She is always willing to help me out whether it is a ride somewhere or help with clarifying and explaining a topic at school that I am having difficulty with. Many times she has literally dropped everything she was doing to be there for me. She also has a very kind heart and would help anyone else who may need her. She has taught me what it is like to do things for others without expecting anything in return and for that, I am grateful for her.

3. She's her own person and has taught me a lot about life and about other viewpoints.

My sister and I were very different growing up. I was more into sports and she was more into band, anime, and stuff along those lines. She enjoyed heavy metal music while I listened to indie alternative music. She really liked to wear black and dark colors and I usually enjoyed surrounding myself with bright colors. Our interests were just very different but because she was my sister she gave me a new perspective and a taste of a different life. When you are in high school you tend to hang around people who like the same things as you do so for me that would be athletes. Having a sister who rolled in a different social group helped broaden my understanding of people and helped keep me from sticking to one group of friends. She has taught me to accept people for everything they are whether we have a lot in common or barely anything. She has introduced me to a variety of people whom I probably would not have met if it was not for her and I definitely would have missed out on some amazing people, so for that I am grateful.

4. She has taught me how to deal with people.

Think about it, when you are growing up, you don't choose to live with your sibling it just kind of happens and you do not have a choice. You either end up fighting and killing each other or eventually solving your problems in a humane manner and growing up. Since she and I were so different growing up, she has shown me how to deal with other people's perspectives and to understand where they are coming from rather than assuming whatever I am thinking is the end all be all. So for this I am grateful for her and that I was blessed with a sister that helped broaden my views on the world.

5. She's my best friend.

I do not know how I could have survived this life so far without her. I am very blessed and thank God every day for giving me a little sister who has touched my life in so many ways. So for that, I am forever grateful for my sister.

Regardless of our fights or disagreements, she will always be my sister, and I am so glad she is.