brittany nicole

I have loved nothing more than being a big sister. It’s a title that I take such pride in. It’s a title that as a kid I felt came with more pressure and less benefits. Now as an adult, I see things differently. Growing up as kids…

I never thought my younger sister would…

• Move out of state before me
• Get married before me
• Have kids before me
• Obtain another degree before me

But she did (and will very soon on the last one). And let me tell you why I love that for her.

My sister had to grow up being compared to me all her life. She lived in my shadow and she absolutely hated it. Every second of it. In my eyes (at the time), I thought it can’t be that bad.

I make good grades, so the teachers love me. I’m super involved, so she can join any club/org of choice. People like me for the most part, so they should like her too. I was always trying to make the pathway easier for her, she just needed to follow in my footsteps. That was my thinking process.

But if you know my sister, you know this to be true…

She did the complete opposite to prove that she was not me. And had no desire to be anything similar. Even in the areas that we are alike, you’ll get different versions for sure.

Whew! May sound harsh to some but I think as an adult, I get it now. The pressure that she felt as a kid, I feel as an adult at the age of 29.

I’m now living in her shadow because some people believe that siblings should go down similar paths and that’s so far from the truth.

She’s married. I’m single single. We’re both happy with our relationship status.

She lives close to home and I live 2 hours away. I bet she misses Nashville, TN but she loves being close to family just as much as I do. I just have a longer drive than she does.

She’s got 2 kids. I have 0. We’re both happy in this area as well.

She loves coming home to her family and being a mother and a wife in place full of laughter and love. I love coming home to an empty place full of peace and quiet. We’re siblings for sure (same mom, same dad) but we have always been a night/day duo.

We love our life. She’s so happy for me and this space that I’m in. I’m so proud of her and can’t wait to see what God does for her and her family next.

If your sibling has children and you don’t…

Don’t allow the shadow that people desire to see you in become your home.

Continue being your authentic self. Continue owning your truth. Continue being happy.

If living your life does nothing else, it should grant you a cup overflowing in peace because you’re choosing to stay in your lane and do what is best for you in that season.

And that’s where you’ll find me always.

I’m not my sister. My sister is not me.

That same messaging applies to you and yours.

Be U. Wholeheartedly.

God has a plan for you. You know the one about prospering you and not harming you. It’s been orchestrated and molded to fit you so that you can see your heart’s desires come to fruition.

Stay there. In the space that God created for you and the in the lane with your name attached to it.

Which is why I always pray for his will to be done, not mine.

I love it here. You will too.

To my little sister:

I have loved watching you become… You have helped me become so much too. I hope you know that I’m still your biggest cheerleader and will always make time to be there and show up for you when needed. You inspire me. I pray that God continues to open doors for you and your family. Thank you (and Buddy lol) for making me an Aunt to those two precious humans. I have loved this role so much and can’t envision life without them in the picture. They bring me so much joy. I’ll now forever be buying toys/gifts that will annoy the mess out of you.

Please don’t ever become me. Our sisterhood would be so boring if you did. Keep being the amazing, hard-working person that you are. Over the years, I have loved nothing more than having a sister who puts the sass in sassy and the boss in bossy. God knew that I would need someone (a second momma) who wasn’t afraid to check me and keep me grounded.

Being your sister is one of my biggest blessings. Being your sister makes me continue to look at life differently. Being your sister has probably been my saving grace that kept me out of trouble. So, thank you! lol

I love you. I’m so proud of you. And I can’t wait to watch you become more.

May we always be who God created us to be.

#BNspired2day