Living away from your best friend is tough. Even if you’re not used to spending every day with them, knowing that they are in the same state provides comfort. When they move away, your mind is accosted with what ifs. What if they change a lot? What if they stop talking to you? What if they find another best friend? What if they forget about you? Even if you know that these thoughts are irrational, they still happen and leave you in a world of doubt.

Now what if your best friend is your sister? Not only is she your confidant, partner in crime and best friend, but you share the same DNA! It would seem that the fears would subside; she can’t possibly get rid of you since she’s blood! But it’s not about losing her forever. You know that that would be almost impossible. After all, she will at least come home for holidays and special occasions. What scares you more than anything is losing your unique relationship.

My older sister is my best friend. She is my person, the one who I would call if I was in trouble, needed a shoulder to cry on or just wanted to laugh. What is even better than having that sort of friendship is the fact that she has been there my entire life. Literally, from the day I was born. She has 19 years of knowing who I am. The good, the bad, the ugly. She knows who I am inside and out. She’s the only one who can truly understand our crazy family. Honestly, she’s one of the only people who truly knows me. It’s that combination of best friend and sister that creates our strong bond.

However, when she moves away, not only will my best friend be gone, but so will my sister. Now, of course it’s not forever, but there’s something about distance that makes you think the worst. Will she remember me? Will I remember her? Will we stop talking? Only see each other on holidays? Will my person fade away? Will my sister-best friend just become my sister?

If there is one thing that I have learned from living in different states than my sister it is: it's hard, but doable. It’s hard because we want to see each other. We want to be able to have a conversation and a hug in person. It’s not impossible though. Far from it. It just takes a little extra work and trust. Trust in your relationship and trust in each other.

I truly believe that the distance between my sister and I has only made our relationship stronger. It is work, especially on my part as a poor communicator, but it’s worth it. I would never want our relationship to change, especially if it is avoidable; and it is.

No matter what sort of relationship you have with someone, it is going to take work. If distance is involved, it will probably take even more work. But if that person means the world to you, like my sister does to me, you’ll put in everything you have to keep your bond.