Sisters

I have a lot of reasons to be grateful for my sisters. Growing up in a family with 4 girls was a wild ride: lots of hair and make-up and clothes, lots of fights an

d taking sides, lots of laughing and inside jokes and secret languages. I have a lot of memories of my sisters, good and bad.

(Hannah & Rachel -- 2002, 2009)

I don't really know how it happened, but I feel like I have a very good relationship with each of my sisters. During my college years, I was afraid this wouldn't be the case. Meredith and I will always be close, at least in my mind, because of the small age difference between us; it seems like we've always been, and continue to be, in the same stage of life. Now, with baby boys under a year apart, it feels safe to assume we will always have reasons to talk and relate to one another.

But it's different with younger siblings -- I didn't want to be the distant "aunt" that was married before they could get to know her, who always lived away from home.

I don't know why, but it hasn't turned out that way. My sisters and I talk on the phone and facebook each other. When we get together, we tease each other and share secrets. We berate each other about various offenses, but defend each other vehemently against anyone else. I'm grateful my college fears about our relationships have not come true.