Happy birthday to my sister!!!

My sister is my best friend. Now, I know I previously said that about my mom. Well welcome to females, best friends sometimes come in packages :) The three of us are a dynamic trio, that could not function without our hilarious and dedicated third member, Brooke.

Growing up I had one mission. Some wanted to be doctors. Some pilots. Besides my passion for being a dolphin trainer in sixth grade, I always wanted to be my sister.

Being four and a half years older than me, she was always leaps and bounds beyond my developmental stage. When I was in diapers she was tap dancing, putting on a show and loving the spotlight. When I was toddling she was grabbing me around the waist and spinning me around, much to my dismay. When I was a shy little girl she would talk to strangers for me and protect me from my biggest fear, dogs. When I was in first grade, she was starting a cool new school. Second grade I got to go to school with her. I would tell all my friends about her and go watch her play basketball. Trust me, it was the cool thing to have a SIXTH grader as your sister!

When she left to middle school and kept a journal, I'd sneak into her room to read it when she wasn't home. I was enthralled with what was going on in her life. When I was in 5th grade, she was a high school cheerleader. A hot high school cheerleader, said all my guy friends, as she came to get me from school in her uniform. "Whoa! Who's that?" "My sister" I'd reply as I strutted away. Watched her go to dances, watched her with her friends, waiting for the day I was her age.

When she went into high school I couldn't believe she had a LOCKER! I memorized how she decorated it so one day I could do the same. She had the prettiest handwriting in the whole world, and I would take papers she threw away to copy how she wrote her letters. When she started dating Josh in 8th grade, that's when I was really fun to be around ;) I would tattle on her when she talked over her daily hour. I would put a wrapping paper tube up to my vent to listen to her conversation. When I had my first dance in middle school coming up, I went into her room and asked her how to dance. She turned on music, looked at me, and said, "Show me what you can do." Horrified, I stood there. She danced and I copied her, more memorizing moves in my mind to practice when I was alone. I asked her questions about boys, kissing, friends... When she got her license she would take me out for ice cream cones or on her errands. Her long blonde/brown hair blowing in my dad's red Mustang. Yeah, I was with HER!

It was my turn for high school and her turn for college. I found myself bringing pictures and scrapbook paper before classes even started to make my locker just as I had seen. I tried out for Dance/Drill team, her in the crowd cheering me on. (And wanting to die she was so nervous for me!) She was there with me to register for classes, to make my schedule, to show me around the school. My birthdays always had posters around the school because of her. I always had flowers and balloons on Valentines Day. Always a listening ear.

I don't remember how she asked or where I was, but I remember the feeling when she asked me to be her Maid of Honor. At 14, I was far from qualified to take this honorary position. She didn't care at all. For her lingerie shower, she thought a Mexican Fiesta was a GREAT idea! (HA!) So easy going and carefree. I've never seen a bride so willing to go with the flow. Her wedding day she looked gorgeous. She radiated love for Josh and happiness for this event. Danced the night away with her friends. And I cried happy tears but also tears of loss, knowing that I had just lost my roommate and partner in crime at home.

Our relationship grew as I would visit her apartment, then duplex, then house. Moving off to college was a sad time for us, as we had to use Skype, phone, texting, and emailing. She gave birth to my beautiful niece, Evelyn, and named her middle name after me. What an honor. Then I saw her become the kind of mother I want to be. Singing to her crying baby girl to lull her back to sleep. Sacrificing sleep and luxuries to make little Evie happy. Singing and dancing to make her laugh.

With Chet as another addition, I see even more clearly how motherhood fits her like a glove.

She is my Matron of Honor. My sister. More than a sister, she is my best friend. The most reliable, honest, open person I know. She values family, quality time, words of encouragement. She is organized, color coded, dedicated to the task at hand. She is thoughtful, caring, and looks out for your best interest. More than a best friend, she is my sister.

Happy birthday Brookie. I love you so much!