Aw, Shucks!

About a year ago, Camille and I had a conversation where we reflected on our sisterhood. We talked about our roles as older and younger sibling. We spoke about how our experiences in those roles empowered and restricted us in different ways, in different seasons. The shared challenges of our childhood have welded us together, producing a fierce loyalty and deep friendship. Now, with time, maturity, and space, we get the chance to choose how we want to be as sisters to one another.

I had confessed to my little sister that sometimes I envied her role—that being big sister was an identity I loved, but often felt came with a seriousness, anxiety, and responsibility that I wished I could put down. Camille said, “Why don’t you be the little sister for a while, then?”

I’ve spent the past year stashing my ID in her purse when we go out—and being the one who says let’s go out on a week night. I’ve sat in the passenger seat, asked if we could stop for iced coffee, and sent her too many memes. The crème-de-la-crème of my year as little sister, though, has been our quarterly sister date.

Camille takes care of everything. She cooks or makes the reservation. She tells me what time I need to be ready and picks out my outfit. Styled by Camille, we say in my family. She selects the event, buys the tickets (and they’re always good seats), and pays for everything. She manages the timing so I don’t have to use my phone for anything except documenting the evening.