"If you don't understand how a woman can both love her sister and want to wring her neck at the same time, you were probably an only child." -- Linda Sunshine
Every woman with a sister will agree that there's nothing quite like your relationship with her. My own sister and I are only 23 months apart in age, but have always been incredibly different. Despite some dark days during our adolescence, we get along wonderfully now that we're both adults-- and living 500 miles away from each other. Growing up with a sister shaped me in immeasurable ways, and I know that I'm far from alone in feeling that.
We asked our Facebook and Twitter followers what they learned from having sisters that they may not have otherwise. Here are eight things that women with sisters understand especially well:
1. How to forgive and forget incredibly quickly. One moment you're screaming at each other, the next you're asking to borrow that dress she bought last week. Outrageous fights can blow over in minutes -- something that's rarely easy with anyone else.
2. What it's like to have an incredible ally. As Twitter user Nina Licastro put it, "women with sisters have an ally for life, even when fighting amongst themselves." There's also the unspoken rule that no matter how much you complain about your own sister, no one else can say a word against her in your presence.
3. How it feels to have a completely honest critic. More often than not, your sister is that person in life who tells you when you're wrong, poorly dressed, being rude or when something you're complaining about is actually your own fault. Facebook commenter Peshka Calloway said: "My sisters are the most honest judges, and friends have never compared to what my sisters give me."
4. It's important to have your own things -- and your own space. This is especially true for sisters who are close in age and/or the same size. It's great to be able to share clothes, accessories and makeup, but the assumption that everything is communal gets exhausting. Twitter user Julia Hurley describes sister-sharing as "awesome and frustrating." Working out which items are off-limits, establishing boundaries, and carving out time alone are skills that women with sisters develop extremely well.
5. How to establish your own identity. This is particularly true if your sister is loud, bossy or requires a lot of attention. After Nora Ephron's death in 2013, her sister Delia told NPR:
By the time Nora and I began collaborating I had established an identity, but I absolutely knew that I had to keep writing books because I knew I could get sucked right into hers, that it was never easy. ... It's like having a sister who knew everything she wanted to do from the second she was around and it was such an overwhelming sister to have.
6. How to ask for -- and offer -- advice. Learning from your siblings' mistakes and drawing from your experiences to guide them is beneficial whether you have brothers or sisters, but there's just something about that sisterly bond. Facebook user Amilyn Lina commented: "I'm the little sister. I've always got someone who has 'been there, done that' first to give me advice."
7. How to wear many different hats in your relationships. We think Facebook commenter La'Theresa Kurtz put it well: "Evolving from living baby doll, to guinea pig, to hair/makeup/wardrobe crash test dummy, to patsy, to ally, to confidant, to best friend is something only those growing up with big sisters could understand."
8. That competition isn't just for boys. This also goes for anyone who attended an all-girls school. Growing up with just sisters reinforces what every girl should know -- that no activities, sports or traits are solely "guy things."
What other things do only women with sisters understand? Comment below or tweet @HuffPostWomen.
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