Celebrating My Sister

My thoughts this morning are all about my sister who is celebrating her birthday tomorrow. Sometimes she’s known as Wifey, sometimes she’s known as a brilliant writer and publicist, sometimes she’s known as Miles & Milan’s mommy – I know her as my rock, my best friend and my sister. It’s a great reason to talk about her but I could write this post any day of the year. I am so lucky to have the sister/best friend combo which I truly treasure now, but as a child I didn’t understand the power of sisterhood.

We are only 15 months a part so we really grew up together. This had some advantages; we moved around a lot as kids and when we started a new school or had to make new friends in the neighborhood we had someone to lean on. But most of the time we fought like cats and dogs. Not cute little puppies and fluffy kittens – like scrappy alley cats and mean old junk yard dogs. There were a few cease fires, but this went on through high school and into the middle of college. Then something changed and one day and I saw her as more than just my little sister and my rival – I saw the amazing person she had become. She was cool, she was smart, she was funny, and she was not my enemy. I had a thunderbolt moment when I realized that I would be lucky to have this girl as my friend. And from there we’ve never looked back. We began to strengthen one of the most important relationships of my life. She’s my little sister but I actually find myself in awe of her, a lot. She has a passion for life and is always moving herself forward. She acknowledges her fears but does not let them paralyze her. She is an infectiously happy person and brings out the best the people around her. You could almost resent her if she wasn't so damn humble and loveable! ;)

As women, we need that critical female friendship in our lives. We need that ear to listen as we talk, and we need someone to tell us the things we don’t always want to hear. We need someone to know how we feel before we even say a word, and we need someone to have the patience as we struggle to find our words. We need someone to laugh with and help us laugh at ourselves so it all doesn’t become too heavy. And we need someone to help us smile through our tears when we are broken. Some women have this intense kind of relationship and they aren’t related; they’ve chosen to be best friends and end up as sisters in nature. I am so lucky that I didn’t have to search and I didn’t have to choose. She was right there by my side. I couldn’t imagine a better sister and I can not bear to think about what my life would be like without her. I hope I tell her enough, and I hope I give her what she gives me. So it’s my joy to celebrate her on her birthday and everyday of the year. Thank you my sister! Love ya, mean it!!!

My sister & me then and now....