My sister and I didn’t always get along. We tortured each other as kids. She is older so she got to do everything before I did, which wasn’t fair. But I was the baby so I got away with everything. As we grew up, we saw each other for what that person was. An individual, a friend, a confidant, a shoulder to cry on. My sister is the bubbly, happy, smiley type. I’m the serious, reserved, repressed one. She’s more Kelly Ripa while I’m more Edgar Allen Poe. I remember the exact moment I realized my sister was there for me no matter what, that despite my flaws and problems, she saw me and loved me for who I truly was. And the most amazing thing is at the time I didn’t even know who I was but she did.

This particular moment was about 5 years ago. Things were hard financially. I was leaving with three other people and a dog in a tiny little camper. I was surrounded by family but not one of the offered to help or lend a hand and I was 100 miles away from my sister.

She showed up one day for no reason. We sat down and she asked me how I was. I hugged her and said that I wasn’t feeling very loved. She hugged me tight and said, “Don’t worry. I’ll love you enough for all of them.”

If you have a sister and you’re close, thank your lucky stars. You’ve got everything you need rolled into one person. If the two of you are in a fight, think about what you’re fighting about. Is it worth it? Talk to her and you might find the two of you aren’t as different as you thought.