Full, Half, Step or even through friendship, this day is the day we celebrate our beloved best friend’s and our (sometimes) worst enemies all in one, our siblings. We probably don’t show our appreciation enough for these individuals but really, we have to give them a lot of credit; especially if you’ve grown up along-side them for your whole life or at least a majority of it.   

Just like we celebrate the other people in our lives, like our mothers and fathers whom love us unconditionally, guide us and motivate us to be the best we can be, the 10th April of every year, sibling day is a really a sweet light-hearted, unofficial national celebration that compliments the season for gratitude to those special people around us.  

Why siblings are important?   

Our siblings expose us to all kinds of things in life; all of the highs, the challenges, the rock bottom lows and everything in between. If they haven’t already, they will do eventually. Whether you’re the younger sibling or the oldest one, you will all learn from each other.    

Our siblings are us…Same  but different – we are a reflection of them (most of the time). They know you deeper than anyone else, you’ve experienced the same childhood conditions. You hold the same or very similar memories; they have a significant impact on your personality throughout your life and most of all, they will always have a permanent mold on your past. 

Siblings are your forever friends, your biggest fans & your supporters (even when they don’t show it). There’s a comfort in knowing you’ve got that unconditional sibling love whenever you need it, regardless of all the annoying traits, they (you) have towards one another. 

Why should we appreciate our siblings & why we do…?

We will eventually go off and live our own separate lives. Your relationship will evolve throughout different stages growing up; when we meet a partner, move away from home, have a baby and start our own family… you’ll all of a sudden be different people and everything you do and talk about will no longer be the same as what it once was. Appreciate the now and cherish every memory you have because you never realise it was the last one during that ‘stage’.  

Having a sibling is a H U G E blessing and is completely underrated. I thought it would be nice to ask a few people why they appreciate their sibling and here were their answers; 

• “Their unconditional love and loyalty”
• “That no love, laughter or support compares to them in my life. They are the 3 most important people to me, and I would not be the person I am today without them”
• “My brother and sister are like extra parents, I’m so lucky to have them”
• “Her clothes are always worth stealing”
• “All of the happiness and amazing memories they’ve brought to my life”
• “It’s SO fun having them around, I could kill them sometimes, but it really is a laugh 99% of the time, we really do have each other’s back through thick and thin with no judgment”   

How to celebrate sibling day.

• Plan a sibling date, just siblings (no outsiders)   
• Share old photos/memories – Discuss what you’ve learnt from one another & tell each other why you’re thankful for one another.  
• Get them a thoughtful gift/card (something of relevance and completely inexpensive) 
• Go back to a memorable location or do something that you enjoy with each other. 
• Have a night in, food/movies and some games. 
• Put up an appreciation post – social media had to come into it somehow. 

Final thoughts  

Not everyone gets the pleasure of having a brother or sister and some sibling relationships aren’t even close to perfect, they even might be a little toxic so use this day to celebrate the ‘friends that become family’ – being bonded by blood isn’t necessarily the only sibling like relationship to celebrate here. 

Be thankful every day for those you have around you, remember what you’re thankful for and don’t forget to remind them of your thoughts/feelings towards them. Try and stay in contact as much as you can – no matter how near or far you are away from them. Always check up on them and make sure they’re OK. 

“Siblings-the definition that comprises love, strife, competition and forever friends.” – Byron Pulsifer