We have all read those cute articles on why a sister is a "built-in best friend" or "sometimes you hate her, but you would kill for her!" etc. But what does having a sister really mean?

It means "you have a built-in best friend." Yes, this cliche phrase is true. Growing up, you always have someone to play with. You can always go outside and make mud pies together, ride bikes together, or play dolls together. (Of course, the trouble comes when you are playing "house" and someone has to be the "dad.") You never have to sit and think "I wish I had someone to play with." As a matter of fact, you may come to the point where you want to play with someone else.

Having a sister means sometimes you hate her. Absolutely, there are times you want to kill her. There are also times that she wants to kill you. She may try to steal your toy, your clothes, or even the guy you like. And in the end, you would like nothing better than to strangle her.

But if anyone hurt her, you would kill them. There is nothing like someone crossing your sister. Whether it is a guy who broke her heart or a girlfriend who double-crossed her, you are totally willing to go on the war path. Sure, just the day before you were ready to kill her, but all of that is irrelevant now, because someone is going after your best friend. It does not matter who hurt her or why, the fact that they did it is enough.

You and your sister have loads of inside jokes. So many things have happened over the years, that you just cannot help but have all the "ins." Even when you do not try to have inside jokes, you do. Sometimes they are annoying, or just plain stupid — but they always make you laugh. When you try to explain them to other people, you just get weird looks. But you know that you can always go back to your sister and laugh about it all over again.

You have your own language. Sometimes it is silly words or phrases. Perhaps, it literally is an entire language. But at a minimum, you can at least read each other's looks. It does not take much to understand what your sister is trying to tell you. That look says it all. You know exactly what she means.

Having a sister also means that you always have a confidante, a shoulder to cry on, and someone to understand your frustration with your parents. It means having shared experiences, memories, pains, heartache, and dreams. It means loving each other through thick and thin. It means you have a tie with that person for the rest of your lives. And it means some of the greatest joy you have ever experienced.