by Natalie Fitts

When Allison and I end our blogs, we say “See ya, sistas!” to our readers. But come this fall, we’ll be saying it to each other.

When people talk about “empty nest syndrome,” they are usually talking about how parents are feeling after their child leaves home for college. I find that offensive because I honestly think I will miss my sister, Allison, more than my parents will. They will still have one lovely daughter at home with them, but I won’t have any more siblings here with me.

I think I got the short end of the stick when it comes to our family dynamic. For the first two years of Allison’s life, all she had experiences was being an only child. Plus, when I came along, she was still at an age where getting a little sister wouldn’t disrupt her routine of eating, sleeping, and playing very much.

However, I’m at an age where essentially becoming an only child will very much disrupt my life. I’ve never known anything other than having a sister whose door is only a few steps away.

I won’t have anyone to (reluctantly) share clothes with.

I won’t have anyone to make me listen to her new favorite song on repeat all the way to school.

I won’t have anyone to help me lose to my parents while we’re playing board games.

I won’t have anyone to get mad at me because I suggest Planet Sub every single time we go out to eat.

I won’t have anyone to tell me what I missed in newspaper class.

I won’t have anyone to yell at me for not waking up after my six alarms go off before school.

I won’t have anyone to incorporate a quote from “Bridesmaids” into every situation with me.

But most importantly, I won’t have anyone to talk to about anything any time I want.

Over the past few years, Allison and I have grown close enough that I feel comfortable talking to her about anything happening to me–good, bad or otherwise. If I’m having friend problems, I can go to her. If I’m annoyed with my parents, I can go to her. If I meet a cute guy, I can go to her. Sure, she may roll her eyes at me several times a day, but she understands me better than anyone because she knows everything that has ever happened in my life.

I know she’s only going two hours away, but soon I won’t be able to go into her room to talk about something serious or to show her a funny video of dachshund getting stuck in a sweatshirt sleeve I found while not doing my homework.

So sometimes I might just pop into your dorm room because you “have a face like sunshine,” and I want to see it. Or I might just text you. Or Skype you. Or call you. Or tweet at you. Or send you a greeting card. Or post on your Facebook wall. I might even do every single one of those things every single day until you quit responding.

I understand though. I know you’re off meeting your new best friends, eating Shakespeare’s Pizza, going to sorority parties, getting student pricing for football and basketball games, and doing whatever fun things people do in college. Don’t get me wrong–I’m excited to see what amazing, successful things you do in college and throughout the rest of your life. Just don’t forget about your little sis. My door is always open, just like yours has always been for me. You know where I live. Until then, see ya, sista!