The Yin to my Yang! The Jelly to my Peanut Butter!

Sisters by BIRTH, best friends by CHOICE.

Fifteen months ago I found myself moving over a thousand miles from my family for school and I found that distance can really put things into perspective for you. I was sitting at home studying for what would be the hardest pharmacology test I would take, when I looked up at the picture frame on my desk and realized just how much I missed my sister. I wanted nothing more then to have her come over, drink some wine and just listen to me complain about how much studying I had to do. As if she could sense that, she called me just to see how everything was going. In that moment I realized my sister ABSOLUTELY is my best friend. Below is a list of the things I feel makes sisters the most AMAZING best friends. 

1. They love you unconditionally.
2. They accept you as you are, flaws and all!
3. You can communicate with your eyes. You know what I'm talking about ladies. You just look at each other and it's as if you share the same brain.
4. They can pick you up when you need it the most. Everyone makes mistakes and luckily you're sister will always be there to hand you a bandaid for those scraped knees.
5. They complement you. My sister is sort of the yin to my yang. She's the loud to my quiet. The jelly to my peanut butter. The cream cheese to my bagel. I think you get the idea. Without her things just wouldn't be as good as they could be.
6. They always make time for you, even when it isn't convenient. Actually, especially when it isn't convenient. Sometimes you just need some sister time and they drop what they are doing to hang out with you. They might even plan a cool adventure for the both of you like relaxing in a salt cave or line dancing at a local country bar.
7. They will kill and hide the body of anyone who hurts you. Ok...Not really! But they will mean mug that person in public and cry with you over whatever the situation is. Sometimes you just need someone to complain to and your sister is just the person for the job.
8. You can always borrow their clothes or in my sisters case she can always borrow mine. Either way you can count on your sister to be brutally honest about how you look in those pants. She won't let you leave the house looking bad and that's a good thing for all parties involved.
9. She can always make you cry and I mean this in the best of ways. They will make you laugh so hard that you can't stop crying. It's even better when you're both cracking up over an inside joke that the rest of the world just doesn't get.
10. They seriously know the way to your heart and will give you the most thoughtful and sentimental gifts. When I left for PA school my sister made a box full of letters and gifts for me to open through the 27 months I would be gone. Each letter was for a different occasion; when I couldn't sleep, when I was homesick, when I missed my puppies, when I was getting ready for my first day of school, when I graduated. It was exactly what I needed and she knew that.
11. They will always support your dreams. I remember when I decided that I wanted to switch careers and go into medicine. One day I decided I wanted to fly to Costa Rica and volunteer in a clinic, but of course I was a little nervous to do this myself. My sister hopped on a plane, no questions asked, and worked in the clinic with me because she knew it was something I was passionate about. I'm not sure I ever told her, but I love her so much more for it!

 
I’m sure each of you has your own list of what makes your sister your best friend. My hope is that you will share that list with them. Tell them how much you love and appreciate them. They don't have to be your best friend just because they are your sister; they choose to be in your life and you should love them even more for it! I know that I do! So here's to you Christine! Thank you for everything, especially those things you do that I never know about. I couldn't ask for a better sister or best friend! I can't wait till our next adventure! I love you to the moon and back!