Being a sister is one of the greatest, strongest, weirdest bonds you can have with another human being. You grow up with a built-in best friend. You're a real package deal. But when you go from living in tight quarters to different sides of the country, everything becomes so different. Here are 8 things that happen when you have a long distance sister.
1. Your communication changes.
You go from seeing each other every day, maybe even sharing a room, to not seeing each other for six months. Which is pretty weird. You used to be the first to know what was going on in each other's lives and now suddenly it seems like you're the last one to know the important things. But other times, you are the one receiving the random texts about what's going on in the day or the weird thing they're doing at that very moment, and that makes everything OK.
2. People actually learn your name.
When you have a long distance sister, you gain your own identity. You are no longer "Madeline's older sister" or "the sister of the girl with really good singing voice," you are just a human being -- which is both refreshing and bizarre. However, this becomes a problem when no one fully grasps who your sister is and why she's the best, despite your attempts to explain it.
3. Your closet becomes scarce.
Oh, the joys of sharing clothes! It's like a wardrobe that never gets boring. However, when you and your sister go separate ways, that means half of your wardrobe is now gone and you are left feeling sad. Very sad. In other cases, you find yourself missing that one sweater for months. Later, upon reuniting with good ole sis, you come to realize it was not missing, but it was in fact stolen. Literally, so rude.
4. The bickering ceases.
The small disputes over curling irons, borrowed shirts, and messy rooms become obsolete and life is quite civil. You're far enough apart where you don't get on each other's nerves, which seems unnatural. But rest assured, even small visits home will bring back a case of the bickers, which will feel oddly comforting.
5. Your duets become solos.
Ok, so maybe you didn't grow up bursting out into song every fifteen seconds like my family, but I'm sure you and your sis have had your fair share of jam sessions over the years. When you go to college, or just move away, those duets become solos. In the past, you may have wished you could have had solo moments without sharing the spotlight, but you now realize nothing beats the way your two voices mesh together.
6. Every text/call is special.
It doesn't matter how random the text, Snapchat, or FaceTime is, it is to be cherished. You both have become so busy and your lives are so full, but you realize nothing is too important to let communication fall through the cracks.
7. Your bond becomes stronger.
Before leaving for college, you were close in your own way, but now after time apart you became stronger. It's hard to put into words, but your relationship has matured in a way only distance can be held responsible for.
8. Reuniting is oh, so sweet.
Time apart feels so foreign and strange, but nothing beats airport hugs and sharing stories from the last few lonely months over a meal with the family. It's in these moments you reflect on the memories together and feel grateful for the newfound friendship you now have with your long distance sister.
