I don’t have a sister and I never wanted one. Growing up with three brothers, being the only girl meant being the center of attention at all times. I had the luxury of being both a mummy’s girl and a daddy’s girl. I never thought I needed a sister. As I grow older, I realize the reason I didn’t need one is that I was lucky enough to make strong female friendships from a young age.

My best friend from play school is someone I love more and more with every year. As she grows older and I see different facets of her personality–new dimensions and depths that come from experiences and life stages–her stock just rises. When I moved to London at 18, I met other women who became my chosen family–the sisters I never had as a child.