If friends are the family we choose, then my closest girlfriends and I have certainly filled a void in our lives—we’re all without sisters. I grew up as an only child, while my pals Ella, Kate, and Mia each have a brother. Our friend Tara’s sister faced numerous health challenges and sadly passed away a few years back.
We met during our college years and have formed a tight-knit sisterhood for over 25 years—yikes! Our hairstyles were epic, our sweaters oversized, and our eyebrows? Let’s just say they had a mind of their own. We discovered one another in that delightful space between The Breakfast Club and Reality Bites, and we have the photo albums to prove it!
Our journey together has been filled with the typical squabbles and profound affection that real sisters experience. By our junior year at college near Boston, most of us shared a suite, where late-night keggers often turned our living room into the unofficial party hub. On those rare quiet nights, Ella would call me from her room next door, and we’d dive into the pressing questions of the day—like whether I would donate one of my eggs if she ever found herself unable to conceive. (Spoiler alert: she didn’t need it, and I got to keep all my eggs!)
In our senior year, we moved into a sprawling house in town, where debates about who was responsible for stocking the bathroom with toilet paper were commonplace. Guess who had a very strong opinion on that? Amid the squabbles, we also enjoyed carefree days driving to Walden Pond, soaking in the sunshine, and chatting without a worry in the world.
After graduation, we scattered across North America, landing in cities like New York, Washington, DC, Los Angeles, Fort Lauderdale, and Montreal. I miss them dearly, but over the years, that longing has softened; they feel like a constant presence in my life. In our younger days, it was crucial that everyone made it to our gatherings—FOMO was real, even if it didn’t have its own hashtag yet. Now, as we navigate life’s ups and downs—losing loved ones, going through tough breakups—we cherish every moment we can spend together, whether it’s just two of us for dinner or a weekend getaway.
Recently, all five of us reunited in Miami for a girls’ weekend and to celebrate Kate’s birthday. After all these years, we’ve come to know each other’s quirks and peculiarities that make us uniquely irritating yet endearing. We carved out time for the avid shopper among us to hit the Lincoln Road shops. I opted out of an art museum visit in favor of lounging by the pool, though I did manage to check out the architectural gem I had my eye on. The morning enthusiasts fit in their coffee runs and workouts without slowing the rest of us down.
Even if we accidentally woke each other up too early or bickered over the itinerary, we couldn’t help but smile at one another and think, “We’re so fortunate to be here together—we’re so lucky to still be friends.” With five different personalities, we may not always align on plans, and that’s perfectly fine. Ultimately, what we crave most is simply spending time together.
When I became a mother to twin girls, I had a mini panic about not getting the sibling experience. Being an only child, I only mastered sharing bathroom space in my mid-twenties! But then I realized—my sisters are right here. Even if we formed this sisterhood in our late teens, they have taught me invaluable lessons in negotiation, respecting different personalities, and, importantly, how to love and be loved—even after driving each other crazy. Sisters, am I right?
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Summary:
In this heartfelt reflection, the author celebrates the deep bonds formed with her closest friends, who have become like sisters over the years. Through shared experiences, both joyous and challenging, they have navigated life’s journey together, emphasizing the importance of friendship and the sisterhood that transcends traditional family ties.