When my sisters and I were younger, we loved yellow cars.
We would scream in the backseat every time one passed, eagerly declaring, “Lellow car, lellow car!”
Even if we couldn’t pronounce it properly, the bright color was all it took to make us giddy with excitement.
I’m not sure why that memory sticks out to me, but it does reflect the loving, close-knit bond between my sisters and I. Years later, we still have such a special relationship.
We are the people that we understand the best, even when no one else does. We are the people that we are with the most, no more than a walk down the hallway or a yell upstairs away. We are each other’s best friends.
Together, we talk, laugh, cry, learn, grow. Which is why I know that going our separate ways at college will be one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do.
As a second-semester senior, that feeling has become so much more real. The realization that there is a good chance we will all go to different colleges looms larger in my mind with each passing day.
What intimidates me the most about splitting up for college is leaving the support system that my sisters and I have become for each other. As triplets, we have gone through the ups and downs of life at the same time. I’ve never had to go into an unfamiliar situation completely alone because my sisters were always there, facing the same challenges at the same time.
In college, we won’t stop supporting each other. But different universities in different places come with different challenges, so it won’t be as easy as it was in high school.
It’s not just being there through challenges, but being there for good moments as well. After-school car rides when we rant about our day. 2 a.m. study sessions when we’re laughing for no reason. Sunday mornings when we go to church. Movie nights when we can never agree on what to watch. Games of Pictionary when we have an advantage thanks to our “triplet telepathy.” These moments might seem small to others, but they’re everything to us.
The point is, we genuinely love spending time together — and college will significantly limit the time we have to do that.
It’s not that we can’t be apart from each other. In fact, we’re used to being by ourselves at times. Ever since preschool, our parents made sure we were in separate classes because they didn’t want us relying only on each other. That continued throughout elementary school and middle school, where we were split into the three houses (A, B and C) at Pin Oak. We rarely had the same teachers, so we were able to spend the school day in our own space, with our own friends.
Even if it was just at school, that separation allowed us to obtain a sense of independence from a young age. It let our unique personality shine through. Abby’s quiet compassion and creativity make her the most introverted among us, while Ella’s extroverted, encouraging energy is expressed in her humor and persistence. I find myself somewhere in between, dependable and adventurous, ready to work hard and try new things. That’s not to say there’s no overlap; Abby can be hilarious when she wants to be and Ella has her creative moments, but we each bring something special to our sisterhood.
In high school, that independence helped us navigate through Bellaire to find what we each love. Abby found her home in band, making her clarinet sing. Ella lights up the softball field. I discovered my passion on the soccer pitch. Abby absorbs herself in the novels read in English class, Ella thrives on the revelations of science, and I’m drawn to the stories and lessons of history.
We’ve each carved out our own paths.
However, I think these individual interests and talents strengthen our relationship more than if we were carbon copies of each other.
For example, in our study groups we naturally fell into roles that work. Abby keeps us focused; if we get distracted, she’s usually the one to bring us back to the task at hand. Ella keeps us relaxed; when we start stressing about whatever it is we’re studying for, she’ll crack a joke to ease the tension. I keep us organized; if we’re overwhelmed by all the material, I break it down step by step and explain it in a clear way. We never assigned these roles — they just evolved from who we are because our personalities equip us with the most necessary skills. It isn’t limited to studying, either. These roles allow us to lean on each other in all areas of life we may need help in, and lift each other up in areas we are comfortable in.
I think it will be this dynamic that helps us adjust to college. We will be able to thrive on our own, but our relationship will continue to act as a safety net, catching us when things get rough.
Sure, we won’t see each other face-to-face as much. But maybe that separation won’t be such a bad thing. Will it be weird not being mistaken for my sisters? Definitely. Will it be inconvenient not having someone to make fun of? Obviously. But will it weaken the bond between us? Never.
I realize now why that memory of the yellow cars sticks out to me. It captures something pure and perfect — a moment of joy that made sense to only us three.
In college, we are in store for things even brighter than those yellow cars, experiences and memories that bring us more happiness and thrill. However, there will also be some things that aren’t so bright. Cloudy days, with challenges and frustrations we’ll have to work through.
I’m not sure how everything will work out. And I don’t know what to expect at college.
But I do know that we will keep doing everything together, just like we have from day one.
