The value of a sister

As my wedding date draws near, and the girls that I've selected to be my bridesmaids have talked with me and each other about various elements of the wedding, I've realized over and over again how profoundly grateful I am that I chose my sister to be my matron of honor (Best Woman, actually, since she doesn't want to be called a "Matron of Honor", and I have to agree - not only does it sound so haughty, but it also connotes such womanliness as to give mind to a tired mother of six).  I say this not because any of the other girls have done anything wrong, or because my sister has been particularly amazing, but because I find that on any level, I will agree with her tastes, styles, opinions, advice, and mindset far more often. As much as one loves their friends, you cannot find a bond among friends as strong as sisterhood. No matter how close you are. Some of you may say otherwise, and it could very well be true, but I would like to believe that for many this is as true for them as it is for me. 

I can't quite write out what exactly it is that has made me realize this, only to say that we can both laugh at each other and ourselves and even the shyest and most reserved part of us is okay with that. We can assert differing opinions and don't have to back them up years of accumulated knowledge, because our knowledge is the same, even though we have been living apart for the past eight years.  

As an aside, I feel I must add this here: I have two sisters, with my older sister being the "best woman".   She is already married, and I was her maid of honor. My younger sister is wild and carefree and I have designated her sub maid of honor in respect to the fact that she is my sister and I share the same bond with her as I do with my older sister.   Now when you see me talk of my sisters, you will know to whom I refer. 

I feel that I can talk to either of my sisters and they will understand where I am coming from. And if I complain, they won't misinterpret it, or go off babbling to others for me to find that the meaning has somehow been misconstrued along the way, and Friend X on the other side of the country will hear that I hate pink, when in fact, all i said is, "i don't want pink".... 

A wedding is supposed to be a celebration of love, of lasting friendship, and can be a great time to reform lost bonds, strengthen those already present, and create new and fun memories. For some it becomes a time of lost friendships, and new anger between family members.  Unfortunate and ironic as it is, I have found that with some people engagement periods can put even the strongest of friendships on thin ground.  And while I have found that, "Wow, that's not what I'd pick" or "Could that bridesmaid be any bossier?!" happens, I see it happening more between myself and my friends than between myself and my sisters.  And I am content that I have put my sisters in this closer, and dare I say more stressful, situation. So that should an argument erupt, I know that my friends will be a safe distance away from it that our relationship will not be harmed, and that the bond between my sister and me is stronger than any argument (and even if it is temporarily cut, will mend itself, usually quickly).  

So in conclusion, I can only say that if you are thinking of choosing a friend over a sister for this position, put some extra thought into it, for you will find over the course of preparing for your wedding that no matter what happens, no matter how acrimonious arguments can get or how much you disagree (or the opposite of all these!), a friendship may be shattered, but a sister will always love you.