I was a month and a half shy of turning 15 when my first sister was born. This means, to date, that still over half of my life I did not have a sister, which is why it is still firmly imbedded into my brain (and, sadly, actions) that I grew up in a house full of boys, deprived of having sisters.
To compensate for this missing aspect in my life, at a very young age I begin keeping my eyes open for sisters to 'adopt.' My first experience in this range was my cousin, Marie, born 8 months after me to the day. Marie also grew up in a houseful of boys, so we clung to each other for support as the only granddaughters at most family events (we have 3 older female cousins, but they grew up in Georgia. We loved having them around for a couple weeks every summer, but the rest of the year we held the positions of both only granddaughters & oldest grandchildren!) Marie and I made a pact at somepoint in there that if either of us ever got a little sister, we would share.
Although I think there have been several at various points through out the years, only a couple of my friends have retained the firm position as 'family' in my heart, where I know that the sentiment is returned. Lee Marie's and my families became friends when I was 10 and she was 4, and as she grew older we established a pretty close friendship. As our mothers developed a sister-like relationship, Lee Marie and her siblings merged into 'cousin' status. Although we've grown apart in the years since I lived at home, I believe I will always hold them in a special bond in my heart.
Beth, and, to a slightly lesser degree, her younger sisters (Christy & Becky), hit sister status at somepoint over the years as well. Beth and I have determined (and no, actually - we're not joking!) that after everything we put our friendship through during our teen years, we're friends for life. It has been a true delight to watch that hold true as we've moved in opposite directions and settled into our adult lives. Although we disagree on numerous levels and still occasionally annoy or drive each other crazy, we've learned to still understand who the other girl is, and value and treasure each other and the friendship we share. Beth has proven herself as someone I can tell absolutely anything to, and she will not only keep that secret but won't let it change how she views or treats me. She truly is my sister, in everyway except blood. Largely, I believe, as a result of our friendship, our families have become very close over the years as well. Her dad at one point dubbed me his '5th daughter,' and, although that position has been usurped by their foster daughters and other close friends of their family, I still value all of them as a secondary family - and always will treasure them that way.
After several years of enjoying my independence and determining I had no interest in having roommates, God placed Anna in my life and home. Within days, I was delighted to discover that this roommate thing would work, and within weeks knew that Anna and I would be long time friends. Long before she moved out, she had won a permanent position as a sister in my life. We shared (and still do, during visits & phone conversations!) our hopes, dreams, disappointments, struggles, prayers, hugs, and laughter. I think Anna is the first friend I ever became comfortable crying in front of, and the memories of her holding me, listening, and praying for me are ones I will always hold dear. It's been nine months since she moved out of town, and I still miss her desperately.
Don't let me paint this picture too rosy, however! These women are also the ones who aren't afraid to call me on my faults - and do they ever! Be it a bad attitude, bad habit, a lie that I believe, or the way I mistreated someone, I will hear about it and an attempt will be made to force me to deal with it. Didn't I tell you that they are my sisters?!
I have been richly and extremely blessed with countless friends over the years. With many of them, even though it may be several years between seeing them, I know that their friendship is still there, and will be there if we ever need each other or have a chance to catch up in the future. Some of my friends are (or have been in the past) on the verge of becoming a true sister of my heart, or are already there but time and trial has not burned the stake as deeply. They all are still loved and appreciated. It's the few, however, that firmly hit & nailed sisterhood, that I can trust with the depths of my heart, and have proven time and time again that they will love me not only because of who I am, but often in spite of who I am.
To all of my friends, but especially to my sisters - thank you. I would not be the person I am today without you.
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