Disclaimer: I decided that before this new season of my life, sure to be full of amazing new people and friends, I wanted to dedicate a series of blogs to the people that are in my life now, to somehow thank them for growing me and supporting me along this process. I also wanted to have something concrete to look back on, so when month 4 comes around and I’m missing home and wondering why the heck I would leave my comfort zone, I can be reminded of the people who put wings on my back and pushed me out of the tree.
I have only ever belonged to myself for approximately thirteen minutes. For only seven hundred and eighty seconds was I forced to face this terrifyingly unforgiving world alone, mouth-agape in an ear-splitting scream. Then, after suffering through my entrance into life and being introduced to those that made me, Sydney decided it was time for her to do the same.
To know Sydney and I is to know the word “twin” is not synonymous with the word “identical,” and it is possible to have shared a womb but come out of it sharing absolutely nothing else. My bright red hair contrasts sharply with her more naturally-occurring brown, and our faces are far from mirror-images. My nose sits stout under my blue-grey eyes that are almost always framed by my glasses, but Sydney’s nose is long, stuck perfectly between eyes of murky green. She always says that I squished her in the womb, her tiny hands and feet compared against my long ones making it hard to believe otherwise.
Our physical differences, however, do not come close to outweighing those of our personalities and behaviors. I act as the sun, shining unavoidably bright and loud and without apology, taking ownership of the day, of sarcastic humor and easy-going conversations. Sydney, though, relies more on the subtlety of night, where silence is calming and the imperceptible reigns high above the easily-seen. However, like a striking summer sunset, she oftentimes explodes with color and hilarity, causing some people to believe she’s actually funnier than me (I, obviously, beg to differ).
Despite the things that define our fraternal-ism, however, I am sure that I wasn’t meant to live this life alone. I am confident that God gave me Sydney, my little sister, my best friend, for the purpose of training me in patience and compassion and unconditional love. My love for her stems from Jesus’ love for me—a love that surpasses all kind of human understanding—and allows me to see, through the tiniest of windows, the ferocity and persistence of God’s overwhelming grace.
God also knew that I would need someone to push me, to challenge me, and to support me along this journey, so He blessed me with the most stubborn, impatient, beautiful, hilarious, frustrating, consistent, loving person and allowed me to share the entirety of my life, and life eternal, with her.
To my bud: I’ll miss you the most. Whenever you can, blast Lady Soul or Tomorrow or NTB in the car and think of me. I’m thinking of you always. Make sure you don’t surprise Mom when you come home from school. She hates that, just let her know you’re coming. Kiss Lucy for me. I’ll be looking for little Scooter. Don’t replace me with one of your fancy Clemson friends. I’ll be back soon. I love you.
