What determines how someone develops their own personality, thoughts and actions? Is it the loving home environment in which they are raised, their well meaning family members who always share unwanted opinions, or is it someone’s peers and genetics that make a one of a kind person. In the case of the sisters all four topics play a large role in their unique development. Megan, the eldest and wisest sister is twenty four, 18 months apart from her sparring partner and hiking friend Natasha. The two of them have six years and four years respectively on me the youngest at age 17, Emily, or the baby. Some unfortunate events, as well as joyous moments have affected why all of us have contrasting thoughts and aspirations, but still have the same values at heart.

Megan

The eldest sister and my best friend had to grow up the fastest in order to help our mom raise my sister and I. There was no other option for her other than success; every single person in my family believed she was put on this planet to do great things. However, Megan had spent her whole childhood helping us. She never got to make real friends after moving here in fifth grade. She never got the chance to go to pool parties, travel, or spend her money foolishly. Everything Meg did she did it for a reason. In the first picture above she is a shy senior in highschool, who spent her time doing homework, reading the Twilight series over and over again, and watching me. I always felt happy with her, like I was cared for. Even though she had my mother, sister and myself she was lost in life. Now, in the second picture my brave and hardworking sister has gotten everything she deserves. She went to CCC, putting in all her hours into being a TA, working in the library and being a full time nursing student with a part time job at Dickman Farms. Megan took all the life lessons in which she learned as a child- which most people don't learn until their late twenties, and made herself better. Now she bought her own house in the Mountains of North Carolina, working as an RN and living a content yet happy life with her girlfriend Kayleigh and their dog Hazel. Overall, her life was completely centered around the wellbeing of her sisters. Which caused her to find her talent with helping others and ultimately sent her on a long journey of discovering what makes her an individual.

Natasha

Natasha is the middle child and daddy's girl. She was used to from a young age getting everything she wanted from our father, but when he was gone her attitude and need for everything remained. Even though nobody was there to provide it. If there was anything we knew about Natasha it was that she was the one who was going to get what she wanted and it did not matter at what cost. This ended in many battles between mostly her and Megan. This spoiled complex that she had developed helped her grow into the person she is today.  The person who never settles for anything other than perfection. While working two jobs she is able to rent her own apartment, drive a new car, and attend her college classes. She realizes now that she cannot rely on somebody else to give her the happiness she deserves. Natasha knows what she wants in her future and she will achieve it no matter what gets in her way.

Emily

The youngest, the dreamer, and the confused. My sisters have such strong personalities and passions. They have found paths that lead them away from their past and full throttle into their future. Growing up around two powerful forces sort of makes you feel like a background character or somebody with a completely different script.. I do know that I am like Megan in the aspect that I will not stay in this small city forever. It has become evident that I want more than this and like Natasha I expect the best for myself. For now though I am content working my part time job, hanging out with the same friends i've had since grade school, and getting a small taste of what's out there. Just like my sisters I know that if I set my mind to it I can achieve anything. Growing up in together gave us the same hard working genes, but the influences surrounding us gave us our own goals and paths to get there.