I joined a sorority and within weeks I had 60 new girls I had to refer to as my sister, which was weird to me because I have my sisters, by blood. They were there when he couldn’t be, they were there when dad fell, they were there when the going got tough, and now I feel that calling the unknown, “sis” was something that I had a hard time doing, I mean who exactly were these girls? At that point, I maybe knew 10 girls names and yet I got letters telling me how happy they were that I was a new sister— like I was adopted at the age of 18 and I belonged to a foster care of relatives.

Growing up we fought physically until our heads were sore from hair pulling and our palms red from slapping each other. We are completely different people, she has always been of brilliant mind when it comes to all things math and science. She excelled in most things she took up— swimming, violin, you name it. I was more of the artsy

type, homemade journals with humiliating love songs and my attempt at “Knocking On Heavens Door” on guitar. We have nothing in common, but somehow she’s my best friend.

Fast forward 15 years and we are now living together. Just like old times, except now we are both in college and mom and dad are 3 hours away. Some would think that this would be a nightmare, that we would rehash our physical altercations and just call it quits but I can’t see myself living with anyone else. I hang out with my sister more than my friends and I can say that the amount of times I’ve cried from laughing or embarrassed myself with her should be illegal.

But she’s not my only sister, yes she is the one I shared house with but I have another that is technically my half sister but I always viewed her as my whole sister because I don’t want to view my blood as half of my blood, she’s my sister— no need to put a label on that. Despite the 6 year age difference, we were always close. She taught me that I have worth and that I shouldn’t let anyone hinder that. She always took care of us, if we had someone bullying us, she would go straight to the source and confront them. She is fearless and is an amazing role model. She is the funniest person I’ve ever met, and that says a lot. If anyone were to spend one second with her they would realize that.

We are all now in our 20’s and it still feels like we are playing train on the swing-set outside. Sisterhood is sacred— its not something that should be forced upon you. I do have friends that feel like my sisters, but that took time, it took seeing each other for our truths and not just a walk into the door.