This ones for my 'big sister'

I have to tell you all about someone. This someone has taken a very big role in my life without even knowing it- her and I have formed this big/little sister relationship in my eyes. She experiences things 4 years ahead of me and guides me through the tough times. Her and I have never really hung out or went for long lunches- but she is the only person who can really say that she understands what I am going through in this transition of my life, because she has been there- literally- almost the exact same transition, down to the time line.

Our sister like relationship started my senior year of high school (we both attended the same high school, her 4 years earlier) when I went to visit Indiana University in April. She was a senior at the time and getting ready for graduation. We took a tour around the school and ate lunch at Village Deli (if you went to Indiana, you know what I am referring to). She showed us her house on 9th and Grant (I lived on 8th and Grant my senior year... just a side note) and explained how she was selling her mattress and how difficult the process was. After that visit, I decided to commit to Indiana University and enroll as a freshmen the following fall.

First semester came and went. Being at such a large school, I was unsure of what major to pick. The advisors didn't quite take the time to get to know me, so I e-mailed my 'big sister' and asked her for advice. She guided my towards the communication school and a minor in business. Best decision ever made in my education career. With this major choice, I am able go anywhere and do anything because I have the basic life tools to communicate with others and handle myself in a business platform.

Now comes senior year of college. Graduation came and went. The difficulty of selling my furniture really was as annoying as she described it and the shock of moving out of Blooming was as devastating and terrifying as she said it would be (I'm not sure she she even knows I remember this much from our hour and a half lunch at Village Deli).

I took a trip to Israel and upon my return decided to pick up my bags and move to New York. Well, as it so happens, my 'big sister' did the same thing 4 years before me. She decided to leave our safe nest of Marietta Georgia and conquer the wild and untamed circus of New York. She too bunked in with someone until she got her feet on the ground. She too worked for one of the biggest magazine companies as an assistant for her first job. About a month before moving, I gave her a call for advice. To hear about her adventures of the past 4 years and get some tips. At the beginning of the conversation, there was a blank notepad in front of me, by the end- there was no space for any more words, tips or advice. The page was jammed pack with how to save money- where to go- what to do- how to look for a job and everything else under the sun. She built the skeletal outline for how I was going to conquer the city, she had her basics and left if up to me to fill in the details.

The amount of things her and I have done similar is a bit insane, considering her and I really have no other connections than our lives taking the same paths. But she is there, and her and I are suppose to have this relationship. Whoever it benefits more, me or her, really does not matter. But I have to share something that she wrote to me after reading my past few posts, "New York can be a tough place, especially coming from good ol' Marietta, GA and Bloomington, IN. As I'm sure you've noticed, people don't hold to door open when they notice you are right behind them. The barista at Starbucks doesn't call you "sweetie" when she takes your order or ask how your day is. The waiter at the restaurant you're having dinner at is not interested in schmoozing. People on the subway have no interest in moving out of the way when you're getting on or off of the subway cars. I’ll go ahead and make the statement that a lot of people in New York are so consumed by their own lives that they forget to notice what’s going on right in front of them. At times you’ll feel that human connection is lost…but let me assure you, my sweet GA peach, that there is so much more to this city.

I’m here to give you a pep talk."

To my 'big sister', Thank you. This post was for you. You have lit my flame back again to conquer this city. You have been the flash light holder in my journey through the tunnel of life since my senior year of high school. No other words to say other than your the best. I do not have any sisters and I know you don't either, but if you ever want a little one, I already consider you my big.

Lesson Learned,

sisters don't always have to be best friends or related- just knowing that they get it and they have really been there creates a bond that not even I can describe.

Peace, Love and thanks for being my Sister,

B