If there was one thing I used to wish for when I was little was an older sibling. Like someone I can tag along with, follow, annoy, be a copycat to - you know, the usual.

Don't get me wrong, being an older sibling had it's lovely perks (though I am currently five feet and some change, I used to tower over my sisters as kids - tower, I tell you!)

I'd be lying if I said that I didn't obtain joy from convincing my sisters to play the the Misfits while I played Jem, swiping the last piece of chocolate candy, or "accidentally/just for fun" pushing my sister in the mud in the backyard.

It was my duty to help teach my sisters great survival skills for life. It's a tough world and someone's gotta help shape the youth right? 'Nuff said.

Thirty years later, I am thankful that though I never got to have an older sibling I'd wish for, I nevertheless enjoyed a childhood and now adulthood of having younger sisters that laugh at the memories of sibling fights and the race to snag the last bits of chocolate desserts. And the push-in-the-incident? Forgive and forget, people, forgive and forget.

If there is one person who will more than understand the fun of the "older child" club, it's Heather.

Heather's younger sister and I have been friends every since junior high and the stories they both shared with me about them growing up as sisters had me not only crying from laughter but convinced me that I went a little too easy on my own siblings. Through many wrestling matches and lots of love, Heather is an example of a great sister who not only knew how to boss around her little sister with the best of them, but how also to protect and love her, and to be a sister who is present to make life just a little more interesting and a lot more fun.

Heather, thank you not only for your sharing the hilarious and candid stories of being a fellow older sister, but also for allowing my camera and I spend some time with you. You are truly beautiful inside and out - and I hope you never forget that!

Happy Monday!