Why Sisterhood is Important to Me

Growing up with four older sisters has taught me *a lot* about sisterhood. My sisters and I play, fight, cry, and laugh together. We also wear each other’s clothes, make fun of each other, are awesome aunties to each other’s kids, and give each other really good (occasionally unsolicited!) advice. Most importantly, though, we love each other unconditionally. Ok, sometimes it comes with conditions, but never for very long. And usually not from me, being the youngest of the five. My sisters are the only people in the world who know exactly what it’s like to grow up with our parents, in our family, with the circumstances that life handed us from the beginning. We understand each other on another level because of these shared experiences, and that makes our sisterhood special. We keep each other grounded, no matter where life takes us, and cheer each other on along our individual paths. My sisters are my best friends, my confidantes, my strength, and my reality checks. My sisters have been my biggest supporters from the start, and I couldn’t imagine living my life without them.

To me, sisterhood also includes my sisters from another mother, aka girlfriends. These are the sisters that I chose for myself, at different stages of my life. We’ve grown together through these stages, and our bonds are based on shared experiences, shared hobbies and interests, and shared goals. My girlfriends encourage me to learn and grow, to become the best person and friend that I can be. They constantly inspire me with their achievements and contributions to the world, big and small. And I know I can lean on them for advice, support, and laughter anytime.

I think everyone needs people in their lives who will love and support and champion them, who will also pick them up when they fall and are unafraid to cry with them. This is what sisterhood means to me. A circle of vibrant, nurturing, supportive women who lift each other up on the foundation of their own love and strength. I’ve been fortunate to have so many sisters in my life who are all of these things for me. And I make sure that I’m all of these things for them, as much as possible. My strong sisterhood community gives me strength and love, and my life is so much richer because of it.