For those of you who know me, you know that I didn't have a lot of my aged, female presence, guidance, and experience growing up. I never had a real sister, only a younger brother. My mom, bless her heart, has always been more of a tomboy, so her advice on things typically considered female, such as makeup or clothes, was rather limited. I only have three female cousins who were my age, two of which have always lived in Texas. Sure, I did have my aunts and the two to three friends I've always had at one point or another, but my friends were never really into all of that so-called girly stuff when I was younger.
As a result of all of this, I often found myself lost in matters concerning "girly" things and without very many girls of my own age to confide in when I was growing up. I don't believe that this has made me any worse off than other girls--it just would've been nice to have. It is because of this, for lack of a better word, lack that I would like to write my article this week in appreciation for the cousins and friends that I do have that have been like the sisters I never had when I was growing up.
You girls may not know this, but you mean a lot to me. A lot more than I probably show. When I didn't have another female presence in my house who actually knew or cared about some of the things I wanted to talk about or wanted advice on, you were the ones I turned to. I remember desperately emailing (yes, emailing) some of you back in the day when I couldn't figure out how to straighten my hair the way that you did, and no one in my house cared whether or not my was straight or in a ponytail. And I'm sure there were a bunch of other instances in my life when I came to you all for advice regarding hair, makeup, clothes--the works--and for that I would just like to say, 'Thank you,' both for the advice and for putting up with me asking questions all of the time.
Other things that I turned to you guys for was a listening ear when I may have needed to vent or complain about things that I just couldn't share with other family members. I am not always the easiest person to get along with due to my stubborn nature and inability to open up and express my feelings to others, which have all definitely caused some issues in my personal life. I can't talk about these issues with just anyone, because it's often the people close to me that I have the issues with. Regardless of whether or not I'm in the right about whatever I am complaining or venting to you about, it's nice to have someone that I can just unload my thoughts and feelings on so that I'm not stuck bottling them up and letting them fester until they're a thousand times worse and I do something that I regret. I'm sure my younger brother also appreciates that I have you girls to talk to as well, otherwise it's just him taking the brunt of my rambling venting and complaining. (Sorry, little bro!)
Another reason I owe so much to all of you is being able to talk, whether jokingly or seriously, about men. Outside of my pretty much non-existent dating life, that is. Although that is something that I'm also glad I can talk to you all about. I mean, sure, I could talk about some of this stuff with my mom, but there are just some things that are better suited to share with sisters, friends, or cousins. Growing up in my house (and still to this day), any comment made about how good-looking a guy may be is met with a scoff, glare, silence, or a 'you know who you're talking to, right?'. Unless my mom was in the room, rarely did I get to share in those fun, bonding moments where a group of girls mutually admire the pretty eyes or well-defined physique of a famous man. It was only fun in my house when I did it purposefully to bother my dad or brother. I needed my cousins and friends to enjoy moments like these; moments where we can enjoy a good movie (Charlie St. Cloud) with an even better-looking star (Zac Efron) and get a laugh out of it. After that experience, I can tell you I will never look at that movie the same way again.
Speaking of having a good laugh, I owe so many of my fun, happy memories and inside jokes to you girls. You know me like no other and are always there to make me laugh or smile when I need it most. I know that I can be my truest, silliest, most sarcastic self when I am around you and I know that you will both get it and appreciate it. The different inside jokes I share with each of you, which are endless, are one of my favorite things about our relationships. And I love knowing when I make a movie, TV show, song, pop culture, or whatever other references I constantly make, that you will not only know what I'm talking about but will also be able to give one right back to me. Even if you don't get my references, which a couple of you don't, I like being able to explain or share the meanings behind them with you.
All of that being said, I just want to say thank you to all of the friends, cousins, and whoever else I had growing up that became more like sisters to me than anything else. I owe so many good times and much of who I am to you girls. I may not have gotten a real sister, which I am perfectly okay with, but I at least had you to turn to: my sisters by choice.
