Nearly three years ago, around this time of the year my mom gave me the news that after 15 long years, I was finally going to become a sister.

As a child, I remember putting on my old sneakers and grabbing my soccer ball hoping the kids in the neighborhood would be outside to play with me. Oftentimes, they weren't outside and sadly I would make my way back to my house to sit in my room, bored and alone. In the neighborhood, some of my friends were the only child in the family, like me. As time went on, all of my friends started having brothers and sisters, except me. I thought that it was great being the only child because you didn't have to fight for something, or share a room or share whatever your parents would buy to you. Everything would be just for me. However, all those "advantages" were empty and vague because at the end of the day at least my friends and cousins had someone to laugh with about silly stuff. I felt hopelessly lonely.

In that instant, I realized that it wasn't as great being the only child, who would protect me from the older kids at school? Who would help me with my homework when my parents wouldn't? Who would be there to defend me from my mom wanting to hit me with "la chancla"?

Years passed and I had accustomed to being by myself and whenever someone asked "What does it feel to be the only child" I would respond that it felt great although deep down, I always wanted to have a sibling.

by Fernanda Ruiz

Back to three years ago, after I found out that I would become a sister I didn't know how to feel. It was something I was eager to hear years ago but now I was speechless. Throughout the months waiting for my little brother, I started to become excited and happy because I would become the sibling I wish I had years ago. I am the sister who will defend him from the kids at school, I'll be the one who helps him with homework and the one to defend him from "la chancla."

The age difference is huge. Sometimes strangers say "Is he your son?" and I laugh uncomfortably. I protect him so much that I feel like his mother and that is how I know I won't have children on my own for the next 10 years, I have my brother.

by Fernanda Ruiz