If friends are the family we pick, then my closest girlfriends and I have happily filled a void in our lives—we are all without sisters. I grew up as an only child, while my friends Beth, Emma, and Tessa each have brothers. Our friend Lisa, unfortunately, lost her sister to chronic illness a few years back.
We met during our college years and have formed a close-knit sisterhood that has lasted for an astonishing 25 years. Our hairstyles were big, our sweaters were oversized, and our eyebrows were wild. We found one another while transitioning from the carefree days of The Breakfast Club to the more complex realities of adult life. The photo albums we have are a testament to those times!
Our shared history is filled with the typical squabbles and profound affection that real sisters experience. By our junior year at a university near Boston, most of us lived in a suite—where late-night knockings at 2 a.m. would occur, accompanied by requests to finish a party in our living room. On quieter nights, Tessa would call me from her room next door, and we’d engage in crucial debates, like whether I would donate an egg to her if she ever found herself unable to conceive. (For the record, she was able to have children, and I got to keep all of my eggs.)
In our senior year, we shared a sprawling house and often argued about the responsibility of purchasing toilet paper for the communal bathroom used by guests. But we also relished carefree days spent driving to Walden Pond, where we would walk and chat, reveling in the absence of significant responsibilities and the beauty of New England in spring. I envision us as a five-sided crystal—a pentagon of love, support, and occasional snarkiness.
After graduation, we primarily stayed in Boston and New York, but eventually our lives took us in different directions as we met partners and started families. Now we reside in cities across North America: New York, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, Fort Lauderdale, and Montreal.
Though I miss them, the intensity of that longing has faded over time, replaced by a comforting presence that they are always there for me. In our younger years, it was vital for everyone to attend our gatherings—FOMO might not have been a known term then, but it was certainly palpable. As we’ve grown older, experiencing the heartache of losing loved ones and navigating the challenges of relationships, we have come to cherish every opportunity to meet, whether it’s just two of us for dinner or a weekend getaway with three.
Recently, all five of us gathered in Miami to celebrate Lauren’s birthday. After years together, we are well-acquainted with each other’s quirks and habits. To accommodate our different interests, we made time for shopping on Lincoln Road. I decided to forgo a visit to an art museum to relax by the pool, while others squeezed in visits to a trendy coffee bar and the gym without disrupting the group.
Even when we unintentionally woke each other too early, bickered over our itinerary, or overspent on snacks at Publix, we frequently exchanged glances that spoke to our shared gratitude: “We’re so fortunate to be here—we’re so fortunate to be friends.” With five distinct personalities, it’s natural that not everyone will want to do the same thing at once—and that’s perfectly fine. Ultimately, we just want to be together.
When I became a mother to twin girls, I experienced anxiety about my inability to understand sibling dynamics. Growing up as an only child, I only learned the art of sharing bathroom space when I reached my mid-twenties. However, I quickly realized that I truly have sisters. Even if we forged our bond later in life, they have taught me invaluable lessons in negotiation, respect for differences, and, most importantly, how to love and be loved—even after causing irritation. Sisters, indeed!
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Summary:
The article reflects on the deep bond shared among a group of friends who have become like sisters over the years. It captures the essence of their friendship, which has evolved through various life stages, from college antics to navigating adulthood’s challenges. The author highlights the joy of their reunions and the invaluable lessons learned from such a unique sisterhood.