Last year, on my 18th birthday, my younger sister gave me a card in which she wrote, “You’re my best friend, and I’m proud of it.” I can’t even begin to tell you how much that meant to me. After she gave me the card, I hugged her, and we both cried. Then she laughed and said she was “too cool” for all that sappy stuff, and she is. She’s the coolest person you will ever have the pleasure of meeting, way cooler than I am. Yet, for some reason, she looks up to me. She’s proud to be my little sister and my best friend. Although I am not entirely sure how I won her over, I will do my best to relay my step-by-step process to all big sisters out there.
The first step you can take towards becoming a better big sister is trying to include your sister in everything you do. Whether you’re going to a football game with friends or just watching your favorite TV show, make sure your sister knows that she is welcome to join. I promise you that nothing will boost her confidence quite like knowing that you want her around you and your friends. Whenever I am not at work or school, you can find me at home watching YouTube videos with my sister. Whenever I want to grab a coffee or a quick bite to eat, Emily is always happy to join me. When I was still in high school, we sat together in the lunch room and we are in constant contact throughout the day via Twitter and iMessage. You may find constant sister time annoying, and it’s ok to hang out with friends on your own, but I promise that at the end of the day you will always have more fun with your sister. Never put a friend before your sister. Make sure she knows that she is your forever best friend.
Another thing that will help you to become a better big sister is to find something that you and your sister have in common and acknowledge it. Spending time with your sister and doing something that you both enjoy will strengthen your bond immensely. Maybe you and your sister both really love soccer. Take the time out of your day to kick the soccer ball around with her. For me and my sister, the bonding force just so happens to be One Direction. I’ll admit, at first I was apprehensive. I wasn’t very interested in boy bands and screaming teenage girls. I got into One Direction because I wanted to share that interest with my sister. Now, thanks to Emily, I know and love the boys of One Direction. On August 8th, 2015, my sister and I were fortunate enough to attend a One Direction concert in Baltimore, Maryland. We had the best time singing our hearts out with each other and 75,000 fellow Directioners. I know we will remember that concert for the rest of our lives, and there is no one else I would have rather shared that experience with other than my little sister. Don’t get so caught up in the here and now that you forget to make memories with those closest to you.
This next step may seem strange, but it will show your sister that you love her. Give your sister lots of hugs. Even when she doesn’t want to hug you, hug her still. Give hugs when she needs them the most. Give your sister lots of cheek kisses. She’s going to be grossed out. She doesn’t want anyone kissing her, not mom or dad, and especially not her big sister. Do it anyway. She’ll appreciate it when she’s older.
This final step is simple but crucial. Be there for your sister. If you notice that she is not acting like her usual self, find out why. If she’s crying, be there to hold her and wipe away her tears. If she’s anything like my little sister, she won’t open up to you at first. She will keep everything bottled up. She might even be too embarrassed to show emotion. Emily rarely ever cries, so when she does cry, I know something serious is going on. I never intrude on her privacy because I know that she will talk to me about it when she is ready. Eventually she comes around, and I am always standing there with open arms, ready to listen. I can’t stress enough how important it is that your little sister knows that she can come to you with anything. Even if it’s just a silly story that she wants to tell you about her school day, make sure your door is open. Listen to her and laugh with her. She will return the favor. She is your #1 supporter. You need to be hers, too.
Your sister is the most important person in your life. No matter where your life takes you, your sister will be right by your side every step of the way. I wouldn’t be the person I am today without my little sister. She makes me want to be a better person, sister, and friend. Follow these 4 simple rules, and you will have yourself a forever best friend who adores you just as much as you adore her.
