The Duality Of Sisterhood

This past Monday at our weekly Her Campus meeting we had our Big/Little Reveal, a sisterhood event in which first year writers receive an “older sister,” or upperclassmen writers. There was an array of sweet treats, Shirley Temples, coloring pages and activities, and great discussion with our fellow writers, it was truly so enjoyable and so so so much fun! 

To say I was nervous is in understatement. I was completely unreasonably anxious about this event and I’m not even completely sure why. As a first-year writer but a second-year student, it felt so weird that my same-age friends were not going to be Littles, but I was. It lowkey made me feel like a baby, but honestly, it couldn’t have gone better. I waited my turn, received my Big (shoutout Celeste), and we chatted and colored and ate some delish sweet treats. 

My entire life I’ve been the older sister to my wonderful younger sister, Kate. We could not be more different, but we also could not be more similar. I know, it’s confusing, but you’d have to see us interact to understand. She is one of the most genuine people I’ve ever known, and yeah, I’m probably biased because she’s my sister, but she is also one of the coolest people I know. But she can’t know that I think that, so don’t tell her. 

I can’t lie, I love my role of sister, especially to her. She means so much to me, but I have to admit that it can be hard sometimes not having my own older sister. She asks me for help with her outfits, recommendations for her makeup, all sorts of sister-sister stuff. I never had this. Any influence I’ve had throughout my lifetime has been from the internet, or earlier in life it was from my own brain. My role models were my mom and grandma, and while they have provided me with so much knowledge about how to live life and function as a kind, genuine, and just overall good member of society, I imagine they do not compare to having an older sister. 

I could even say that I envy those with older sisters. As I’ve mentioned, I love being a big sister, I think that it has really shaped me into who I am today. I always feel like such an older sister, it defines me perfectly, but I can’t help but think about what life would look like if I was younger. 

Over fall break, Kate had her senior photoshoot. It’s insane to think about my sister graduating high school, but I guess we’re both getting older. My mom asked me to help her with her makeup and picking out an outfit, and this is what drove my reflection. During her shoot, I suggested poses, I offered advice on locations like where to sit or stand, I fixed her hair, made her laugh and smile, all things that I never had. She didn’t attend my senior photoshoot; I had to figure it out on my own. Something I’ve been doing essentially my whole life. 

I want to be clear; I don’t resent her or my mom for this situation by any means. I love helping and making suggestions to her–I even find myself doing it to my friends at school too, it just made me think about how I don’t really have that sort of influence in my life. 

So, I love the concept of sisterhood in Her Campus, and while Celeste is one of my peers, now she is my fill-in-big-sister that I never had. 

But don’t worry, Kate. I won’t forget about you, I actually think about you all the time. Miss you. 

• growing up
• life
• sister
• sisterhood