I am a younger sister, so I get it. Older sisters are the best and the worst 🙂

Hi, my name is Gitty. I’m 16 years old. My older sister Chana Leah and I are really close, and I think the reason is because we’re the only two girls among five brothers. We had to band together out of sheer self-defense! (I’m just kidding, but

yes, having five brothers can be quite intense, especially when they get their hands on Nerf guns.)

Last year, Chana Leah went away to seminary in Eretz Yisrael and it was, hands down, the hardest year of my life. As the only girl at home, I bore the brunt of most of the household responsibilities and was the target of all my brothers’ mischievous teasing. But honestly, worst of all was that I just missed her so much!

When she came home last June, I was beyond relieved. It felt like life was finally back to normal. I wasn’t the only girl at home, and I got a break from having to be the only one involved in pillow fights and endless wrestling matches! It was so nice to have Chana Leah back.

Except, now I have a new problem. Chana Leah has started dating.

She’s been going out with this guy for over three weeks, and things seem to be getting serious. I’d normally be very excited about this because, after all, who doesn’t love the idea of a wedding? But Chana Leah will be leaving me again, and I’m already feeling miserable about it. Plus, she’s been acting sort of distant and distracted. I feel like her eyes glaze over when I speak to her about anything other than her shidduch life.

I don’t want to sound like I’m not happy for her, because I really am, but I’m also feeling bad for myself. Her being in seminary was only temporary. Marriage is forever — she’ll be leaving for good. And I already feel like I’ve lost a certain closeness with her. I don’t want to say anything to her, because I hate to make this important time in her life about me and how I’m feeling. But it feels hard to be totally b’simchah right now.

I feel guilty about this, but I’m also a little angry. And hurt. And I don’t want to be, especially not now when I should be a good sister. But I feel so cut off. What should I do?