Having a sister is a special blessing: she’ll be your most trusted confidante, she’ll stick up for you when things get rough, and you can count on her to stay by your side no matter what happens. Kat and Abby Nantes, owners of Paire Cocktails and Pastries, know this fully well. Though the two have practically been joined at the hip since birth, they have never outgrown each other’s company, going from childhood playmates to business partners through the years. Here are a few things we can all pick up from this fab duo’s story.

1. TREASURE THE TIME YOU SPEND TOGETHER.
Kat and Abby have been doing practically everything together since they were kids, from dancing, taking taekwondo lessons, joining amazing races, to serving in their parish. You’d think they’d have gotten tired of each other’s company by now, but that apparently isn’t the case. “We don't have the girly relationship na aalis kami, magsa-salon kami together, o kaya magsho-shopping kami,” says Abby. “Mas lalabas kami para magsayaw or for sports (We don't have a girly relationship that involves going out, going to the salon together, or shopping. Instead, we go out to dance or play sports.).”

2. SUPPORT EACH OTHER’S ENDEAVORS.
When it comes to their business, Abby says they don’t feel pressured to be more successful than the other as Kat’s success is also her success. They've never felt the urge to outdo each other since they dabble in different fields, with Abby handling the menu and the kitchen operations and Kat handling the restaurant’s management and marketing.

3. FIGHTS ARE NORMAL, BUT DON’T FORGET TO APOLOGIZE AFTERWARDS.
Though Kat and Abby had their fair share of fights, they never really had a huge rift between them. “Meron kaming mga away na magsasambunutan kami, tapos tatawa nalang kami, okay na kami after,” says Abby. “Parang normal sisters din, nag-aaway, nagca-clash, pero wala namang seryoso (We had fights that involved pulling each other’s hair, then we’ll just laugh it off and we’ll be okay after. We’re like normal sisters, we fight, we clash, but nothing serious.).”

4. KNOW THAT ACCEPTING EACH OTHER’S DIFFERENCES WILL MAKE YOUR BOND STRONGER.
“'Yung pagco-complement namin with each other, 'yung pag-work out ng relationship namin despite our differences and the problems (The way we complement each other, how our relationship worked out despite our differences and problem),” said Kat when asked about the best thing about having Abby for a sister. “It’s like we’re competing against world together.”

(Photo courtesy of Kat Nantes)