Things That Happen After Your Sister Gets Married

My sister got married last month. It was probably the happiest day of my life (so far). I was more nervous than she was because I wanted it to go without a hitch so that her special day would produce no regrets. Plus I had added a lot of blood, sweat, and tears into the production. The day was more exciting, joyous, and perfect than I could have imagined. Yet I never thought about what life would be like after the fact. Here were 7 things I learned after my sister got married.

1. Random things will make you sad.

Laundry baskets, her missing shampoo, seeing her dress hanging in her room, etc. I burst into tears on several occasions, the first being coming home right after the wedding. I was getting ready for bed and noticed her favorite shampoo missing in our shower. I went to go sleep in her bed, but noticed her wedding dress laying out on it. I was a mess. The next week my mom offered that she could take the second laundry basket to her apartment because "we don't need two up there anymore." Cue the waterworks. My dad told my boyfriend that "he could sit in Vanessa's chair because she wouldn't be using it anymore" at the dinner table. I also lost it then. Most people are understanding at these outbreaks.

2. You will come up with ways to lure her back to your house.

When I go grocery shopping I strategically pick out mint Oreos, raspberries, and Decadent Chocolate ice cream in hopes of coaxing her over.

3. You will live vicariously through her.

My mom and I went through Vanessa and Josh's wedding pictures for three hours. In our pajamas. While playing their first dance song and crying.

4. People will ask if you're next.

Yes we are 18 months apart, but we are not clones. Thank you for nudging into my personal space.

5. People saying to you "I heard you got married this summer!"

No. That was my older sister. Yes, I am taller, but I am the younger one.

6. Sharing is hard.

You're used to spending time alone the two of you, but she is married now and her relationship with her new husband is important, especially right away. While she may not be right across the hall, she is only a text or phone call away.

7. Her last name change is hard to get used to.

The first time I saw her name change on Facebook, it was a culture shock. All these years we were the "Blankespoor sisters" and seeing her name in plain sight change was something to get used to. Especially when trying to tag her in pictures.

8. Twice as much bedroom space, half the closet.

I now sprawl out in both of our rooms. My bedroom is where my clothes are, and I sleep in her room. She took all of her stuff though, so when we would normally swap wardrobes, this isn't as easy anymore.

9. Sending embarrassing photos and stories of your parents is way more entertaining.

Updating her on the happenings of the house are that much more hilarious when she's away from it for awhile. Funny dog pictures, embarrassing pictures of parents, awkward stories, etc make you both feel in the loop and have a good laugh.

10. She doesn't make fun of your messy tendencies.

Now that she lives with a man, she has a new perspective on piles of dirty laundry and won't bug you as much about it.

11. You have two awesome opinions instead of one.

I would always go to Vanessa for advice or opinions, but now I get two insightful point of views.