Wow, to think I met this girl a little over a year ago is insane to me. I’ve always thought to myself, how would life be if I had an older sister leading me in unimaginable ways? Well, I think this past year-ish, I’ve gotten a pretty good glimpse at it.  I remember even before I was a MIT, I would look at the North Texas Oklahoma Instagram and see the sisterhood that was shown, and I was excited to have this same experience. 

After the Ruach Convention 2024, I knew exactly who I wanted to be my big sister. Sitting here writing this, I think to myself, just how lucky I got. I remember being so uncertain if I was going to get her, if she was going to choose me too, and if we were going to get the connection I dreamed of. From being the older sister to becoming a younger sister was such an experience that I didn’t know I could truly have, but am SO glad I did. 

I can visualize my chapter’s big/ little sis reveal like it was yesterday. I remember walking into the house and being so nervous. While we 8th graders lined up, I kept thinking, what if I don’t get her? What if? This question was replaying in my head for a solid 20 minutes before I turned around and saw Ashley holding up a sign saying I was her little. There is even a video of me fully jumping up and down from pure joy. This friendship only got better! Throughout the year, we would call, I would ask for random advice, or just to laugh. From her ending her last year of high school to me starting my first, it really was a one-of-a-kind sisterhood. 

Sometimes we would go weeks without talking, and it was hard, but I also had to remember we were both busy. Because sometimes we couldn’t talk, I made sure not to take time with her for granted. People always said, “Oh, it’s just a BBYO relationship”, but I believe that even the simplest friendships are necessary. Conventions were always a hit, I was even lucky to hear her separates one extra time (thanks to her 18 month regional term). BBYO is so wonderful in allowing all sorts of people to meet each other and make connections unlike any other! Now, I am even more excited to be this person for the new and upcoming members, while ensuring their BBYO experience is all and more than what they imagined! I hope we still call and see each other when she goes off to college in the fall! ROLL WAVE!!!! All of this said, I encourage everyone to talk and create relationships with all the older members, because you never know what you will get out of it!