From the minute she was born, Iris Durrie had an older sister she knew she could count on. Iris has always loved being so close with her older sister, Leila. She has had someone to look up to for her whole life, and both girls have gotten the chance to learn and grow up with each other.

Iris quickly learned how important this relationship really was to her when her parents went through a divorce. During that time period, Iris realized she had a best friend and someone who would always be there when she needed anything. Iris began to see Leila not just as a sister, but as a best friend.

“With our parent’s divorce Leila definitely stepped into a second mother position, especially when we’re at my dad’s house,” Iris said.

Iris appreciates the little things that Leila does for her, like taking her to school every day. She knows that she can count on Leila for anything. Most of all, Iris enjoys spending time together on ‘sister dates’ to grab coffee, go thrifting or get food.

Leila and Iris will sometimes argue over clothes, makeup and belongings. However, most of the time, the sisters enjoy sharing their clothes, and planning days to match with each other. This is just one of the ways the two show their love to each other and feel more connected.

“When we go shopping together, we’ll get clothes in different colors, or we’ll split the price and then share it,” Leila said.

Matching outfits is not the only way the girls can relate and feel closer to each other. Leila enjoys going to the same school as Iris as it gives them more time together, whether that is simply waving to each other in the hallway, popping into each other’s classes during the day, or spending lunch together.

Iris has many memories with Leila, but one of her favorites is the trip the girls took to California in August of 2022. She was excited as her parents dropped the two off at the airport gate as it was the first time that the two traveled just with each other. Iris and Leila were able to learn and grow together, and Iris enjoyed being able to experience such a big moment of growth with one of the most important people in her life.

“It was nice being able to have freedom, but we were also figuring out how to manage it.” Iris said. “We were learning how to do that together, which was so much fun.”

Just as Leila and Iris had to learn independence during their trip together, Iris will have to learn to be truly independent because Leila is going away. She is taking an exchange semester in Spain and will be gone for six month leaving at the end of December and returning in June.

Iris is happy for Leila and glad that she is taking the opportunity, but is nervous about what her day-to-day life will look like once Leila is gone.

“I don’t know what I’m gonna do,” Iris said. “I have put her into my daily routine, so it will be hard to get used to life with her gone.”

As the sisters reflect on their relationship, they know that it will be challenging to leave each other, but they also realize how vital it is for them both to be apart from each other, so they can learn more about themselves. This also will teach them to not rely on each other all the time.

“I’ve needed to step back in some moments and realize that she needs to learn some things on her own and have that space from me,” Leila said. “I definitely think that space in Spain will help us learn what’s most important about our relationship.”

Iris also believes that it will be important to her ability to grow up and really become her own person.

In times of hardship, Iris is used to having her sister as a support person. Leila is worried that when she‘s gone, she won’t be able to be there for Iris in the same way, because other than their occasional FaceTime call, they won’t be able to have any face-to-face interactions, let alone see each other in person.

“We are very involved with each other’s lives, so it will certainly be hard to be away from her.” Leila said. “I have friends at Pioneer who will definitely care for her and be there for her when she needs it.”

Leila knows that Iris will be in good hands, which makes her feel better about her having to go, but Iris is still nervous about her leaving.

“Being alone is going to change a lot,” Iris said. “But I also know that I have so many people that will help out as much as they can.”

Neither of the sisters are worried about their relationship suffering once Leila gets back: they both know that it will go back to normal once they are together again.

“Every time we’ve been away from each other for a long amount of time, it’s always been the same when we come back,” Iris said.

When people think of their relationships with their siblings, many things come to mind. For Leila and Iris, this sisterhood has been a hugely positive part of both of their lives. The girls have found that maintaining a strong connection with each other has played a large part in their experience of growing up. Not only have they been able to create a strong bond with each other, they’ve also made countless unforgettable memories.