In order to maintain the essence of “Heart of the Matter,” the students who share their hearts with us will remain anonymous.
Those who have watched the Disney Channel classic Liv and Maddie know the saying: sisters by chance, friends by choice. With Family Weekend just around the corner, it seems only fitting to revive “Heart of the Matter” by talking about siblings and the roles they play in many Villanovans’ lives.
Every sibling relationship is unique, but as we age, we often realize that siblings can be the best of friends. For better or worse, it is a constantly evolving relationship over time.
“I like that we’ve all grown together and I still have the same relationships with them that I’ve always had even though we’re all very different people now,” one Villanovan said of her siblings. “I feel like it’s a constant in my life that I’m very lucky to have.”
I have often heard it said that siblings are the only people who, if we are fortunate, are around for our whole lives. This means they are there for the big moments: graduations, career successes and even weddings. One student, about to be the maid of honor at her older sister’s wedding, feels bittersweet about the change marriage will bring to their lives.
“My sister is about to get married, and at first it kind of felt like everything was going to change, but now it just feels like I’m gaining another best friend,” she said. “She has taught me to be caring and loyal and I look up to her in so many ways.”
As an older sister myself, I am completely unbiased in saying they make the best role models. One student says his older sister inspires him and has helped him through his hardest times.
“Her ability to be there for me when I need her the most without question has gotten me through some of the most difficult moments of my life,” he said. “It is something that I will forever be indebted for.”
There are many different kinds of sibling relationships, one of the most special being the relationship between twins.
One Villanovan, a twin, says she didn’t appreciate the significance of her relationship with her twin sister until they separated for college.
“During our senior year of high school, we were basically sick of each other and so excited to go off to separate schools, to make new friends and finally be seen as individuals instead of always being called ‘the twins,’” she said.
Once they were apart, though, her perspective shifted.
“Before going to college, I never would have imagined how much I would come to appreciate having a twin,” she said. “Now, I look forward to our long phone calls and can’t wait to spend time with her over school breaks.”
This Family Weekend is not only ours at Villanova, but at many northeast schools. Both my (not so) little brothers, freshmen in college, are settling into college life on their own and have their first Family Weekends.
Growing up, my brothers were a constant in my life, always there for every milestone and even more so, for the everyday moments. We would play “Sorry” on our living room floor, rewatch our favorite shows constantly and once we were older, drive to school together talking about our days (and arguing about my slightly-too-far-away parking spot). Now, all in college, we have instated a weekly FaceTime call instead.
Though things are changing, at its core our relationship is the same as it always was.
Whether twins or a large age gap, brothers or sisters, siblings make a big difference in our lives. These relationships can certainly be complicated, but they can also turn out to be some of our most cherished friendships. Happy Family Weekend, Villanova.
