Isn't she lovely?

I get to spend this entire, crazy busy weekend with my baby sister. We have big plans to Christmas shop, see New Moon, eat sushi, drink coffee, gush about wedding plans, and oh yeah, run a 5K. Not such a big deal for Kellie, since she's been a marathon runner and college athlete and all. But a HUGE deal for me. Not an athlete, not a runner, not a lover of exercise or physical exertion in general. But I want to run to say that I've accomplished a goal and to feel good about succeeding at something way out of my comfort zone. It's an even BIGGER deal to have Kellie run it with me. Not only am I comforted to know that she will be by my side the entire time, but she's been by my side for every major event of my life.

Born 10 years after me, we are forever stuck a generation apart. I always sound like the old, mature, almost-mother and she always sounds like the young, naiive, full of life, almost-daughter. In spite of the age difference (or maybe because of it), I couldn't imagine having a more supportive or encouraging sister. As a kid, she tagged along to many band and piano concerts, college classes and even some of my dates. It's quite funny to look back at my wedding pictures and see the awkward 12 year old that was so unsure of herself. As a teen, she was there for the birth of my children, there to see the transition of her sister from a young married girl to a busy mom of 3. Today she is still here, now supporting my kids at every birthday party and major event for them, and in turn, still supporting me.

The difference between us is that I haven't always been able to be there for her. Always the one it has seemed with more responsibility and ties, I couldn't always pick up and travel to important soccer games and track meets. I didn't see every prom dress in person and yes, even missed the all important college graduation. It's for this reason that I am so excited about this next step in her life. In a little over 4 months, she is marrying a super, great, guy that I couldn't have hand picked any better for her. It hasn't always been an easy road for her in the dating department and I am so proud of her for not settling and for not losing sight of her standards. It's the reason I can't wait to be there for her on her special day. The day she starts a new life and I get to be right by her side cheering her on. It's a little tough to be another bridesmaid (excuse me, "Matron of Honor", which sounds even worse than bridesmaid. Who came up with that name anyway?) admist a sea of beautiful 20 something year olds who seem to have trouble gaining weight and who are probably blissfully unaware of the world of Spanx, but I would do it for my sister even if I was 50. I am even starting to get a little bittersweet as we spend some of our last times together with her as a single girl. Now I know why she clung to me so tightly in tears as I was trying to disentangle and leave for my honeymoon. We might be a generation apart, but the feelings and experiences we share are always mutual, always reciprocated, just always delayed. So thankful God blessed me with her beautiful smile of encouragement, so thankful for the man He brought to her life, and so thankful to be the one standing by her on her big day.


By the way, Kellie, don't expect any kind of crazy toast at your wedding that would include any of this mushy stuff. The most gushing you're going to get is right here. In April you won't be shocked when I sit quitely while toasts are being made. I refuse to be the matronly, Spanx wearing, mother of 3, 30 something year old that fell apart and became a mess while toasting her baby sister at her wedding. Not going to happen. :)