Having a sister can be the most wonderful thing and the most terrible thing, at the same time. Growing up with a sister who is basically your age has its ups and its downs on so many levels. I am not yet married, but as I grow to understand what marriage is about, I start to see the correlation between my relationship with my sister and the relationship I will have with my future life partner. If I can handle my sister, I can handle being with just about anyone. Basically, my sister has been training me for marriage for (almost) my entire life and here’s why:
1. You constantly think about each other.
You call them about absolutely anything. You see something at a store and can’t not buy things for them because you know how perfect it is for them. You send each other stupid gifs and funny memes all day long. You just cannot get them off your mind!
2. You’re shameless with them.
Embarrassment is basically not a thing with them and there’s nothing you wouldn’t do in front of them. From changing in front each other to talking about the most intimate details of your digestion with them…there is no side of you they have not seen.
3. You know what makes each other tick.
This can be a bad thing or a good thing. With just a single gesture, they can drive you insane enough to do something irrational. They also know the best ways to cheer you up and the most effective ways to make you happy. They know you better than you do sometimes, and vice versa.
4. Secrets? Definitely not.
If someone says, “don’t tell anyone”, you swear not to speak a word and you won’t, right? That rule does not apply to them. They know everything about all your friends (and enemies) and probably know more about them than your friends would like them to, but that’s okay.
5. You have to share a bed with them.
They can literally be the world’s worst sleeping partner at times. Sometimes you’re a victim of bedtime violence with jabs to the face and awful kicks to the shins. Sometimes they’re a bed hog and a cover hog, but you try to learn to cope.
6. You have a language of your own.
This lingo of your own is something only you two can understand. You get so used to the lingo that you often forget your sayings or pet names are weird or unusual. “How’s my little turdmuffin this morning?” Yeah, pet names aren’t always flattering or nice either.
7. You know their body language on another level.
There are certain things that they do that they don’t even realize, but you know what they mean. You can be across a room filled with people and still have a conversation with that person without even saying a word. Simply because, you both know each other well enough to have a non-verbal conversation.
8. You know their arguing style.
When in an argument, you know their arguing styles and potential points they will make. You’re ready with a counter attack before they even open their mouth.
9. Sharing is caring.
You literally share everything. What’s mine is their’s and what’s their’s is mine. That’s just how it goes.
10. They are your partner in crime.
You always have someone to do something with. They will do the most sketchy, not OK, borderline insane things with you and not peep a word about it. They’re basically willing to do anything for you and with you.
11. They’re predictable.
You’re deeply comfortable with them in a plethora of ways and you know their limits. This can be a blessing and a curse. Sometimes, you give them the worst parts of you because you know they will always be there, no matter what.
12. Negotiation and compromise drives the relationship.
Although you are your own person, you constantly have to consider them in the decisions you make. You have to adjust what you want according to what they want. This is more true when you are growing up, but still relevant when you become an adult and leave home.
13. You grow into each other.
You’ve been together for so long that you become very similar. You find your languages mingling, using the same stupid phrases they do. You start to have some of the same mannerisms and the same mindset. It’s inevitable.
14. Your love goes through phases.
It develops when you two are young. You grow up together, and grow into each other. Somethings happens along the way and things change. When it’s good, it’s so good you feel like you’re on top of the world. When it’s bad, it feels like you’re drowning. Your love has its definite moments where things shifted, or you proved your love for each other. Your love is so monumental and ever-changing.
Sisters and siblings are a blessing and a curse, but you can’t imagine your life without them. At the end of the day, no one can get under your skin faster than they can…but no one makes you feel as loved as they do.
