A sister is a forever friend given to you by your parents: your biggest supporter, a shoulder to cry on, and someone who aggravates you more than anyone else. I have been blessed to grow up with an older sister who was always looking out for me. Ashton and I love each other even when we don't like each other, and no one understands me better than her. The past 18 years of my life, I thought I knew what it meant to have a sister and to be a sister; however, the word "sister" has been redefined in my months away from Ashton.

When she was away at college, I would still see her about every two weeks. But now, I am away at college and she has an awesome career, which means we don't get to see each other very often anymore. This has impacted me in so many ways because I did not realize how much I depended on her constantly being there, and I also have realized that I took her presence for granted. I can no longer call her as soon as I need help making a decision- our schedules are totally opposite because she often works nights.

Learning to make small decisions on my own has been tough because I am a very indecisive person. I can never decide what I want to wear or what I want to eat. In this way, my sister and I balanced each other very well. I have grown and developed personally due to our separation, but I have also found people who balance my personality.

My roommate, Carlye, has become more than just a friend or roommate. She is my sister now too, and I can confidently say that blood does not make someone your family. We have gotten to know each other so well, and we are truly sisters at heart. I always wanted a twin, and Carlye and I are so similar that we might as well be twins. Our birthdays are even one day apart!

Having two sisters in my life now is such an awesome blessing, and I could not be more thankful for having two people to help me decide where to eat or what to wear now.

Carlye & I