Today is my sister's birthday. Alison is five years older than me. I love pointing that out. Her not so much.
If you have an older sister you will get this. If you have a younger sister you will totally get this. Having a sister is the most wonderful, emotional, chaotic, stable, loving relationship you will ever know. We drive each other cray cray, we push each others buttons- on purpose sometimes, we champion each other, we have to like each other, we fiercely love each other, but at the end of the day sisters are for life. You are stuck with each other.
Growing up with a five year age difference was tough. Alison was graduating high school when I was still in middle school, she was graduating from college when I was getting ready to start. We were always close, but once we got older we got super close.
The whole point here is over the last year with the pandemic is I have truly come to appreciate my sister not just for being my sister, but for being a friend. Yeah, she has to be- refer to the stuck with each other comment. She always says to me- you will never understand what it's like to have a little sister. She is overprotective, loyal, she is professional, she is career-oriented, super successful, organized, an amazing decorator, has a great eye for detail and fashion, has impeccable taste, she thinks of everything- she is THE older sister!
I tell her- you don't know what it is like to be the younger sister! I am the eternal child at heart. I am goofy, loud, I can wait till the day of to make plans, I can go days or weeks without talking to friends- life happens, doesn't mean I don't love you. I am here, I am just not on the hotline! While I can be organized, it my hot mess kinda organization. My idea of decorating is concert posters and piggy banks! Fashion- hello, head gear and pink. Every. Single. Day.
Picking up what I am putting down?! We are night and day. It's taken years, some fights, misunderstandings, miscommunications and just life to figure out, how to accept who we are as people. Then face the fact that no matter what, we are sisters and we love each other. The older I get, I so appreciate having this built in person to remind me of all my faults and positives.
I know I drive my sister nuts. Um samies! But, when I have a bad day at work, or I need the perfect way to word something professionally (or how to dress professionally)- she is my first call. Anything major happens in my life- I want Alison to know. She is my doctor, my therapist, my decision maker at times, and we talk each other off all the ledges.
Throughout, this pandemic she along with her husband Larry- they have been our bubble. I have been so lucky that the Warren and Larry get along and all four of us love hanging out and running around together. There are few silver linings from this down time- other than binge watching Schitt's Creek (only kinda kidding)- but, the quality time we all got to spend together is something I really am so thankful for.
The morally of this longish-story is, well- a few things! Haha! My sister is one of my most-favorite people. I can tell her anything without her judging. We can fight one minute and the next, we are crying because we were arguing the minute before. I know what she is thinking by her facial expressions. This is like no other relationship I have ever known. I love her unconditionally.
Alison, I hope you have the best day ever. The best year ever. The best life ever. I have to say, I am glad you have me because I am so glad I have you as a sister, a friend and someone who knows me for me and loves me anyway.
Love you lots and happy birthday!