Sisters by Chance, Friends by Choice

Sisters by chance, friends by choice!  Well, that wasn't always the case!  Steph and I didn't get off on the right foot at first, and actually we didn't even try.  We tolerated each other.  And not very well I might add.  She was the sister of my boyfriend, then my fiance, then my husband.  Chance had brought us together, through her wonderful brother and my man!  But, just because we were now "family", it didn't mean we had to like it!  Really, though, I didn't dislike her, because I didn't really know her.  (In my defense, she wouldn't even give me a shot at it!)  But, I knew she didn't like me and want me in her brother's life.  Was it really me?  I thought so for a long time.  Many years later, she accepted a job close to where we lived and being that we were both older and wiser, we mutually decided not to just "tolerate" each other any longer.  Was this a conscious choice?  No, we just started getting to know each other and the more time we spent together the more our friendship grew.  It wasn't until then that I realized that she was being protective of her brother.  I was marrying her brother and starting a life and family with him.  Where did that leave her?   I get it.  Took me a while.  Our friendship continued to develop and eventually we were deemed "Sisters"!   The days of tolerating were over, a thing of the past.  We have been through many joys, illnesses, heartaches, and good times in recent years.  We have developed a bond that some blood sisters don't even have.  We tell each other our secrets, share our ups and downs, and laugh together like two "pre-teen" girls!  We still have those rare moments, but what friendship doesn't? 

 It was a good feeling to be welcomed to the Sisterhood!   I love you, Steph!