Looking back on the past eight months of my freshman year, some of my most meaningful memories come from the time I spent with my older sister, Kaitlin, now a senior at the University of Michigan. When I was accepted to Michigan a little over a year ago, Kaitlin was the first to celebrate with me. She called all the way from her apartment abroad in Florence, Italy. We screamed and cried together over FaceTime, overwhelmed with excitement for the year ahead — her last in college and my first.Â
If you know me at all, you know my relationship with my two sisters is a fundamental part of who I am. There are few people I feel as connected to and comfortable with as them. Up until this year, though, our time overlapping in school has been limited. There was one year when all three of us were in elementary school together, and I had two years of high school with my younger sister. But because my older sister and I went to different high schools, I never got to share that experience with her.
Even so, I’ve been incredibly fortunate to never live in a city apart from my siblings, at least not for more than a few months. Growing up in Ann Arbor, a college town, I’ve always been a short drive or even a walk away from my family. Over the past year, I’ve started to appreciate that closeness even more, especially as Kaitlin’s post-grad move to New York City creeps closer and closer. Every accidental run-in on campus, dinner at her senior house, or game day tailgate together feels that much more meaningful when I remember that in a couple of months, she won’t live here anymore.
People tell me all the time how lucky I am to see my sisters whenever I want, and I agree. It’s something I’m deeply grateful for. Having an older sister in college has also been a huge comfort. Kaitlin understands the ups and downs of the freshman experience and always seems to have advice for whatever I’m going through. I leaned on her a lot during winter sorority rush. When I felt overwhelmed about meeting so many new people or anxious about facing rejection, Kaitlin was the first to comfort and reassure me. Now, I get to be even closer to her through our shared sorority, Chi Omega.Â
Through Kaitlin, I also feel like I’ve gained a whole group of older sisters. Her friends have been a constant source of support throughout my freshman year. Whether it’s navigating rush or thinking about my future and major, they have the answers to everything. One of my favorite things about this past year is being able to walk into her senior house and hug each and every one of them. Beyond her house, there are so many welcoming faces that make going to this university that much better.
All this to say, it’s hard to imagine leaving this school year behind, knowing she won’t be on campus in the fall. I know that most people don’t get the chance to make these kinds of memories, so I feel confident saying that my freshman year experience was one of the luckiest. And if my younger sister ever decides to become a Wolverine, I hope I can give her even half as special an experience as Kaitlin gave me.Â