April Fools Day

April 1 is my sisters Birthday.

Happy Birthday, Becki!!!

I'm 3 years and 11 days older than Becki.  Look how cute we were when we were kids!

Becki and I are great friends, and have been for years now.  That's suprising to me, even still.

When we were kids we fought a lot.  At least, that's my memory of our childhood.  My mom says we played together nicely a lot of the time, too, but I mostly remember the fighting.  Lots of physical fighting.  Hair pulling, scratching, kicking, hitting...you name it.

My signature move was to sort of 'bonk' her on the top of the head.  I'd make a fist, then bring it down, sideways, on the top of her head, hitting her skull with the fat part of the pinkie side of my hand.  If that makes any sense.

Becki's signature move was to 'claw' at me.  Her tiny hands would form into a claw-like shape, each finger spread, bent and rigid - each fingernail razor sharp and ready to gouge skin from my arm, leg, face...really, anywhere.

When we were teenagers we outgrew physical fighting (for the most part) and moved on to just disliking each other.  There were varrying degrees of dislike - sometimes we were friendly. Sometimes we were allies.  Sometimes...we weren't.

When I was 16 or 17 we were at a Young Womens craft activity at church.  A pair of sisters in our ward painted a sign together that said 

and Becki and I almost gagged.  We laughed at that sign for YEARS after.  Mean, I know...but we bonded over it.

At 18 I moved to Logan for college, and our relationship dramatically improved.  It steadily got better, until we could consider one another to be a friend. There was no "light bulb moment" no catalyst for the change - it was just a natural part of growing up.

 

Now, we spend lots of time together.  Every Monday, most Thursdays - the days Becki doesn't work.  We hang out on the weekends once or twice a month.  We talk on the phone almost every day.

We occasionally disagree, rarely argue.  

It's different to be friends with your sister.  They know more about you than other friends ever will, because they shared your childhood.  They know less about you than your other friends might, because you have a set role and definition in their life.

Sisters are harder on you in some ways, easier on you in others.  They can't say no when you ask for help - and you can't say no when they need something.  

There's an element of danger, too - since you know what they are capable of.  It's been ages since I've used the "bonk" on Becki, but I can't imagine she's forgotten it.  I know I still fear "the claw"...

It's an especially rewarding friendship, I think, because you know it's permanent.  There's no "breaking up" with your sister.  

I'm really glad we're friends - though I'll not be painting any signs to proclaim it.

Happy Birthday, Becki!!!