Recently, my sister performed in her very first high school musical, Fiddler on the Roof. She wasn’t a lead or even a supporting role. She was in the chorus, in the background. Despite that, in my eyes, she was the star of the show.
For roughly the past month, I had been orchestrating this elaborate plan to surprise my sister on her opening night. Then, finally, the day came. My sister supplied my best friend with pre-paid tickets, so we were guaranteed seats. My best friend drove up to college to get me, and helped me sneak into the high school auditorium. My sister’s best friend kept her occupied so she wouldn’t see me. No one posted anything to social media in fear of my sister seeing it. Even my parents (surprisingly) kept their lips sealed. I sat in the audience and screamed my little heart out every time my sister walked on stage without her ever knowing I was there.
When the show ended, it was time for the big reveal.
The cast was lined up outside the door, awaiting their adoring audience. My best friend’s dad went first, and you could see my sister’s face light up at the sight of him. Next came my best friend, and her smile grew even more. Last but not least, I stepped out from behind them, a bouquet of flowers in hand, smiling like a kid on Christmas morning. Tears welled in my sister’s eyes and began to flow freely as she realized I was legitimately standing in front of her. And, truth be told, I cried just as much as she did.
I’m telling you this story because having siblings back home while you’re at college is tricky.
Thankfully, I was able to have a ride back home to see my sister shine up on stage. But I know in the back of my head, there will come a day when that isn’t possible. There will be Boy Scouts ceremonies and jiu-jitsu competitions of my brother’s that I won’t make it home for. There will be basketball games and track meets of my sister’s that I will miss. And I know that day will not only break my heart, but it will break theirs as well.
I know my siblings understand and won’t hold my absence against me. They know how much I love and support them, and would never doubt that for a second. But when I surprised my sister at the musical, she made a comment to me that really struck home. Through her tears, she confessed that it bothered her that no one was there to congratulate her after her performance. Hearing those words broke my heart.
It is so hard to go from being the big sister who is constantly involved to the college kid who is watching from the sidelines, through social media and text messages.
To my siblings, and all of the siblings out there, your college sibling loves you to death. Whether we are there supporting you in person, or we are there in spirit. Whether we are there to physically hug you, or we hug you through the phone. We will always be there for you, no matter what, in one way or another.
