Sister Time — Sarah Sironen

A sister is a forever friend.

This is my younger sister, Claire. We are two and a half years apart, but have always been really close. She became a mom back in May to a sweet baby boy, who we all call “Tripp.” Claire lives With Tripp and her husband, Greg, in Chicago.

My babies meeting their cousin for the first time. They are in LOVE!

Since they live so far away, my sister and I don’t see each other as often as we’d like. It’s so hard to be 300 miles away from someone whose bedroom used to be just 3 steps away. We overuse our FaceTime app and make sure to share every little thing going on in our lives. We laugh, we cry, and sometimes we can hardly hear each other over screaming kids and a fussy baby. We make the distance work and hope that someday it won’t be an issue. [fingers crossed]

Recently, we were able to have a dinner date or what we called a “mom’s night out” together. No kids, no husbands, and most importantly, no distractions. Just the two of us! I’m telling you, this NEVER happens anymore. I get it though. They Usually come to Kentucky for some type of event or holiday and the whole visit is spent rushing around making sure they see everyone and do everything that’s planned. I try not to add to the stress and just see them when it’s convenient to their schedule, which usually doesn’t allow for any alone time with my sis. I could go on, but you get it. This dinner was super special and it’s not just because it included our favorites, sushi and wine.

I drove to my mom’s house to pick Claire up for dinner so I could sneak some snuggle time in with my nephew. It was 6p.m. and his “witching hour” was just beginning. Evidently this is something he’s take up over the last few weeks. During this hour he screams at the top of his lungs and she has found that there’s not really anything she can do to calm him down. He can be fed, changed, and swaddled but the wailing continues. I never experienced this with my girls so I have a hard time relating. Not that my girls have always been perfect, they’ve just shown me challenges in other ways.

Anyway, we eagerly handed Tripp off to MiMi [he was in good hands] and rushed out the door. We were free! I could just see her shoulders relaxing as we sat in the car. A feeling I know all too well. Claire didn’t have to deal with that tough hour and I was off duty for a few hours myself. Very much needed on all accounts! Lots of uninterrupted conversation, several glasses of wine, and [in our opinion] the best sushi made for the perfect time together.

Leaving dinner was when I felt we had the best time. Our interests in music are the same and I love when Claire introduces me to new stuff. We swear she hears stuff in the big city way before we ever know it exists here in Kentucky. We pulled out of the parking lot with our music blaring and the windows down. My mind flashed back to road trips and our high school years when this occurred every day. I ignored the fact that there were two empty car seats in my backseat and let myself enjoy the moment. Out of the corner of my eye I watched Claire, my sister who has just recently experienced the biggest change in her life, and KNEW she needed this night to “let loose.” Becoming a new mom is, in my opinion, one of the hardest things a woman can do. Your life is totally changed. The change is obviously for the better, but there are unexpected things you find you weren’t prepared for. Like needing to schedule time for yourself.

We we’re coming up on the stop sign to turn back into my mom’s street and Claire shouts, “Let’s keep going,” as she waves her hand in the forward direction. Great idea, I think as I crank the music louder and push on the gas. We were headed in the direction of the house where we grew up. We turned down our old street minutes later. What a drive down memory lane, literally! Naturally we turned the music down and shared many “remember when’s.” Man that felt good! It’s amazing how different our old house looks and it bright is joy to see that a new family is living there now.

If you’ve ever been driving around and enjoying the music so much you just want to keep going, then you know why we didn’t want to loop back around and head home. When the car ride ended, that meant so did our night together.

My sister didn’t know the thoughts running through my head during this drive. I’d sneak glances at her and just smile. She was dancing and singing [with a pretend microphone, of course] and most importantly she was enjoying herself. All her life I’ve been the older sister who experienced life first and told her about it later. I’ve always envied the fact that she was able to go out and do anything with confidence because she knew she would be okay afterwards. Learning to drive, dating, going off to college and so on. She knew that she could do it because she knew I had made it through. I think the same goes for motherhood. I’m almost five years in and feel I’ve learned so much. I know Claire trusts she can ask me anything at any time, but she is also the type of person who wants to learn for herself. I’ve always admired that about her.

For the first time I see so much of myself in my sister. I remember those first few months of motherhood. You are so enamored by this little life you’ve created, but you’re also trying to find yourself again. It takes a while to figure out that you’ll never find your old self again, and instead you’ll discover this new, stronger version of yourself that you never thought possible.

Claire, I’m here always. I love watching you be a mom and wish I could say it gets easier. Instead, I can say it gets better. You will see.

May you always steal moments like we had and don’t forget to take care of yourself too.

XO,

Sarah