ode to my sister...

when we were young, i can remember my mom telling my sister and me that someday we would be best friends. back then i didn't believe it, but as we have grown up, it has definitely become true. we have been though so much together, good times and bad. we have laughed and cried together, whispered and screamed at each other, pinched and hugged. regardless, we have always been able to confide in one another.

when i went to college, my sister and i led much different lives. i was the band dork who marched off to college while she was a socializing cheerleader in high school. we didn't talk often when i left, but i made an effort to attend events, like her homecoming game senior year as she walked onto the field as a member of the homecoming court. i was proud to watch my sister walk across the stage at high school graduation and then her decision to remain close to home as she attended college.

after i graduated from college, and had come out of my shell (among other things), we started to lose touch. she moved to a new city to complete her student teaching while i was half way across the country in north carolina. after a couple years, we slowly started to communicate on a more regular basis and i made the decision to move back to the midwest, closer to home. shortly thereafter, our grandma passed away. i know that gretchen and i then realized just how important family was to us, knowing we were becoming adults and our friendship was essential.

a couple years later, i was shocked to find out that my sister was expecting a child. i never expected such a surprise, but after the initial shock wore off, our family embraced the new addition of our family and couldn't wait to meet little lilly. during those nine months, however, my sister and i became the best of friends. we talked on a regular basis and found excuses to see one another. since then, our bond has only continued to strengthen.

i know that i don't tell her enough, but i am so proud of her. she's a great mother of two children who she loves endlessly. it is apparent how much they love her as well. she has honestly grown into a mature adult who continues to make me smile. gretchen recently decided to go back to school and finish up her degree in education. i know how tough it must be to raise a family and go back into the classroom, but i know that it will all pay off for her and her family.

i look forward to the friendship we share as we get older. things will change around us, but i know that i will always have my sister to share our lives together.

love you sis!