I'll be there for you

"I'll be there for you, when the rain starts to fall"

Being a sister comes with a lot of perks. Perks like free access to her closets, late night movie marathons and a number to call when you know your parents don't get you. Being a big sister also comes with a lot of responsibility. Responsibility like always taking their side against your parents, covering for them when they come home late and forgiving them when they break your things. But the biggest responsibility is to look out for each other. Sisters are supposed to protect each other, to make sure that the other is not just surviving, but thriving. They're supposed to save each other, to make sure the other is not falling, but flying. That's what sisters are supposed to do, what we are responsible for. It's the darker side of all the good stuff, it's the fine print on legal documents that everyone forgets to read. When you become a sister, you don't even get the chance to read the fine print before you sign. You sign on the dotted line the minute she's born, the minute you become a big sister. You are born with this new responsibility.


And it isn't easy. It isn't easy at all. It wasn't easy for me. Which is why I'm writing this, to tell my baby sister, to tell my chipkali what she means to me. Why I'd give the world up, just to see her smile.


As your big sis, I know it's my job to protect you, to support you, to listen to you. But I'm here for more than that. I'm here for late night phone calls and pillow fights (and fights which don't include pillows), for mornings snuggles under the covers and mugs of hot chocolate on the back of the porch. I'll be there to hold you when your heart is broken and make you laugh when that's the last thing you want to do. I promise to always make you laugh and steal your clothes. I promise to tickle you when you're getting ready and harass you when you're on your phone. I promise to ask you annoying questions and try to budge into you personal life. I promise to assess every boyfriend or male you bring into your life and threaten his safety if he hurts you.
But most of all, I promise to stand by your side, always.


I'm going to be here for it all. I promise. No matter the distance between us or the miles that separate us. No matter the years or time that has passed. No matter where our lives take us, even if they take us apart, I'm not walking away from you.

We're at a time now when our lives are shifting, when our paths are changing, when we're becoming independent and strong and hard-headed. I know this is your time to explore, to challenge what's around you, to grow. And I'm excited for that. No matter how hard it is to see you go, I need you to know one thing: I'll never be too far away. I promise.

I'll be there whenever you need me; I'll be there even for the times you don't. I'll be there because that's what sisters do- and you won't have to ask. Whenever you call, I'll pick up the phone. I'll share your laughs and your fears, your painful moments and best memories.

I know that our lives are not always going to bring us close together, but I'll fight for us. I'll keep on fighting for us to stay close because that's the one thing I've promised myself since you were born- to be not only your big sister, but your best friend.


And I will always love you. I hope you know that.
I love you on the days when I'm busy. I love you on the days when I have my own drama and tears. I love you on the days when I don't have the answers. I love you on the days I make you angry. I love you on the days when you drive me crazy.

And this won't ever change.

There's not a thing you could do to make me walk away form you. You're my sister and I'm in this forever, no matter what happens, please know that my love isn't changing. I love you.

And I'm here.