During this evening’s dinner, Megan proclaimed, “Emily, you are my best friend.” Emily responded with a coy smile, “You’re my best friend too, Megan.” This isn’t the first time Megan has made this announcement. And if tonight is like any other night, then at some point Meg is likely to declare, “Emily, I am not your friend anymore.” It’s the typical cycle.
From personal experience, I recognize that both girls will have different “best friends” through their youth. It will depend on their classmates in school, who moves in or out of the neighborhood and the mood at that particular adolescent moment. And even though I don’t have experience with being a sister, I recognize that our daughters will also change their labels for each other. Whether it be best friend, annoying little sister, bossy big sister, etc. However, tonight’s display of unconditional love reminds me of a wish I have for them both. I hope their friendship endures throughout their adulthood.
As an only child I’ve always been envious of close adult sibling relationships. I’ve been very fortunate to have made lasting and amazing friendships through the years that have filled the void of a sister. My heart aches when I hear people say that they have a sibling that they haven’t spoken to in years. Even the thought of months without contact pains me. I can’t help but wonder what would cause that kind of animosity. Is it a product of the environment they were raised in?
I certainly hope that we are raising our daughters in an environment that creates the foundation for appreciation and trust in one another. I hope that when they meet the man of their dreams, they confide in each other. I hope that they choose each other as their maid-of-honor in their weddings, not because they feel an obligation to, but because they want to. I hope that when I’m driving one of them crazy with my incessant mothering, they can laugh about it with one another. I hope that when they get that big promotion they’ve been working for, they want to celebrate together. I hope that when they decide to start a family, the other is one of the first people they call to share the good news when the test finally shows positive.
But for tonight, I’ll just appreciate that they are getting along peacefully and we’ll keep doing what we’ve been doing so far.
From personal experience, I recognize that both girls will have different “best friends” through their youth. It will depend on their classmates in school, who moves in or out of the neighborhood and the mood at that particular adolescent moment. And even though I don’t have experience with being a sister, I recognize that our daughters will also change their labels for each other. Whether it be best friend, annoying little sister, bossy big sister, etc. However, tonight’s display of unconditional love reminds me of a wish I have for them both. I hope their friendship endures throughout their adulthood.
As an only child I’ve always been envious of close adult sibling relationships. I’ve been very fortunate to have made lasting and amazing friendships through the years that have filled the void of a sister. My heart aches when I hear people say that they have a sibling that they haven’t spoken to in years. Even the thought of months without contact pains me. I can’t help but wonder what would cause that kind of animosity. Is it a product of the environment they were raised in?
I certainly hope that we are raising our daughters in an environment that creates the foundation for appreciation and trust in one another. I hope that when they meet the man of their dreams, they confide in each other. I hope that they choose each other as their maid-of-honor in their weddings, not because they feel an obligation to, but because they want to. I hope that when I’m driving one of them crazy with my incessant mothering, they can laugh about it with one another. I hope that when they get that big promotion they’ve been working for, they want to celebrate together. I hope that when they decide to start a family, the other is one of the first people they call to share the good news when the test finally shows positive.
But for tonight, I’ll just appreciate that they are getting along peacefully and we’ll keep doing what we’ve been doing so far.
1 comment:
I think the only thing more wonderful than having a sibling that I love so much is seeing my children love each other. You are raising such lovely girls. Nice work, mama. =-)
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