So, this is it.
You’re graduating high school.
For some reason, your high school graduation seems almost as significant in my life as mine did. I think that, somehow, your graduation symbolizes the end of an era for both of us.
From now on, neither one of us will be living at home. We’ll go back for fall break, for Thanksgiving and Christmas, but we won’t be spending all of our time there. When I go home randomly just to visit, you won’t be up in your room studying (or watching Netflix). You won’t be at rowing or at work or on your way home. You’ll be in college—in a different city.
In a lot of ways, since I went to school in the same town where we grew up, we didn’t have to go through too many transitions when I “went off” to college. I moved into a dorm, but it wasn’t too far from our house. You, on the other hand, are being far braver than I. You’re going to a new city. It’s not that big of a deal—many freshmen go to college far away from their hometowns—but for you and me, it’ll be something different.
I won’t be able to take you lunch at school, or meet you for coffee in the afternoon or see you every Sunday at church. You’ll be finding new places to drink coffee, a new church to call home and new people with whom to eat lunch.
In truth, it scares me a little bit. I want us to stay close, and I want us to really be friends, as well as sisters. I want us to be able to go out to dinner just because, and I want to be able to take your clothes and wear them on a moment’s notice (OK, maybe that part is just because I like your clothes). I want to be able to see each other whenever we want, a privilege I’m starting to realize I’ve taken for granted the past few years.
As I think about how much things are going to change with you going to college, at first it makes me a little nervous. But when I keep thinking about it, I realize we’re going to be just fine. When I really remember all the transitions that we’ve been through together already and all the life we’ve shared, I’m not so worried.
Over the years, we’ve survived matching outfits, ridiculous hair bows (that mom assures us were cute at the time), several pet deaths, a divorce, puberty (which, let’s be honest, was probably the most difficult) and more. We’ve seen each other through the ups and the downs of life, and at our best and our worst, we’ve been there for each other. We’ve fought and we’ve cried and we’ve laughed and we’ve texted each other a lot of political memes.
So when I think about how much we’ve accomplished (and survived) together, I realize that a little bit of distance won’t change the most important thing—we’re sisters, forever.
So sister, go get ’em. I’m rooting for you. You’re going to rock these four years of college just like you rocked your four years of high school. I can’t wait to see what you accomplish and what you learn and what you experience. I’m so proud of you, and I love you and you’re my sister. Whether we live across the street or across the world, those things aren’t ever going to change.
My sister and me, minus the ski goggles and plus a good 10 years.
