Being an older sister is an odd thing. You are a sister, mom, and friend. For awhile, you see your sisters as just your little sisters. They are not really people yet, they are just little kids you boss around. Then, suddenly, your sister starts to be your friend. And it's an odd process.
1. "They're actually a person?" phase.
Suddenly, your sister is a person. She has opinions and a life and friends and it's all kind of weird. Before, you guys were worlds apart and now you're understanding that she is a person outside of her role as a family member. This phase began for me and my sister when she was in ninth grade and I was in 11th.
Pictured: Weird Homecoming photo that was taken before our friendship blossomed! Can you see how I really don't know her? Can you feel the weird?
2. "Can I trust you?" phase.
This is a tedious phase that may take awhile. They were always your little sibling that would tell on you, so what's gonna happen now? This consists of her covering for you such as if you come back a little late from curfew. Building trust is a long process, but once you get enough dirt on each other, it can't be broken, because it would ensure the demise of both parties.
Pictured: Family vacation 2012. Trying to understand these little humans. Realizing I actually like them as people.
3. "Hanging Out" phase.
This phase is the point where you realize you can hang out with your sibling. You start watching TV shows together and start making enough dinosaur chicken nuggets for both of you to enjoy. Making time with the family more fun by hanging out with them during family dinners and vacations.
Pictured: Sheridan and I trying to have fun when we were bored out of our minds at one point during our family vacation.
4. "Friend group merge" phase.
They are friends with your friends and you are friends with their friends. It's a weird merge, and awkward, but it's fun to know so many people. Because I was a senior while my sister was a sophomore at our 10th, 11th, and 12th grade high school, our friend groups started to intermingle. It was weird when she would Snapchat my friends at first, but I grew to love it. Also, because we basically knew the drama in every single grade. No sub-tweet went undecoded.
Pictured: With Madison, hanging out with our friends. All together. At once. Not weird.
5. "Social Media" phase.
You start texting, Snpchatting, Vine-DMing, and Tweeting each other. You are pretty much always sending them something and keeping up to date via your phones. Also, people will be asking that this point, "you guys are, like, friends?" Yes. I suppose so.
Pictured: One of many social media encounters with @maddhalee. Specifically, an awkward Instagram message I received (sorry, Madison).
6. "Hanging out outside of the house" phase.
Starting with small errands, you become friends that hang out in public. You go shopping or grab froyo together. You begin to go grab food with them and they start to be the star of your Snapchat stories. It's always easy to hang out because you pretty much know what she's doing at all times.
Pictured: A normal lunch date with my sister friend. We even ordered the same thing.
7. "First fight" phase.
This is the fight where someone crosses the line between friend and sister. As the oldest sibling, I was having to play mom and it created a tension between us for a little. It's all out of love though, and because it is, it's easier to forgive. It subsided quickly when we realized we only really wanted to talk to each other, and were tired of sitting in our rooms alone.
8. "Basically inseparable" phase.
You never have to run errands alone again. You have standing dates (Sundays at Chipotle are the usual), actual movie nights, sleepovers, and are upset when the other goes and hangs out with their friends and leaves you alone at the house for the night. You are basically dating. I noticed this phase whenever I said "I'm going to Target" and my sister would automatically hop up and come with me. Also, whenever I'd leave the room and she'd get up and go to whichever room I was going to.
9. "College" phase.
This phase is the worst. This is where after a summer of being together 24/7, the oldest sibling has to go to college. Being away from each other since actual birth is tough, but you end up giving frequent updates via text/Snapchat. It also causes the older sister to casually persuade them to attend their college. Being separated from your family in college is not easy, let alone your best friends. But, it makes coming home that much sweeter.
Being best friends with my sisters is one of the best things that's happened to me, and I can't imagine it being any other way.
Dedicated to my sisters and best friends, Madison,who turns 17 on March 29, and Sheridan.
