Today is my “little” sisters 14th birthday. I still remember the day she was born. I was 17, a senior in high school and was instantly smitten with her from the moment I saw her and held her in my arms. She had the fullest head of dark thick hair and was the smallest little bundle of joy. As the years past and she started developing a personality I only loved her more. She was cute, funny and full spunk and life. The best part, she was totally and utterly smitten with me too. I will never forget asking her what she wanted for her fifth birthday. She said, “OH! Everything that Susie has!” I asked her, “Everything? What do you mean?” She responded, “Oh you know, clothes, jewelery, ‘makeups’. Everything!” It was the cutest and sweetest thing she had ever said. I loved and still love that she looks up to me and that I can be a role model for her. For many birthdays and Christmases after her fifth, her response was always the same, “I want everything that Susie has.” I can’t quite remember at what age her wish list emerged into an actually list of things like Nike running sneakers, skinny tip nail polish and gift cards to her favorite stores, but I remember being happy and sad at the same time. Sad because that once innocent and little girl who looked up to me was growing up and developing her own sense of individuality, and happy because I was watching her become her own person and “grow-up”.
Today, she doesn’t seem so little anymore. She listens to some of the same music I do and knows all the lyrics, she paints her own nails, she’s on a swim team, she gets straight A’s in school and last but certainly not least, she is definitely taller than me. Sometimes I just watch her and get a little teary eyed missing that once so cute and innocent little girl, but so proud and honored to be the big sister of an incredibly intelligent and beautiful young lady. At 14, she is not only my younger sister, but she is my friend. I think about her often and feel lucky every day to know such a great kid and have her as part of my family and life.
Now, this particular blog is mostly dedicated to the birthday girl, but I also have to give a small shout-out to my other little sister who is equally as amazing who I’ll write about another time. Anyway, I had an impromptu visit with them today and just can’t believe how big and grown up they have both become. They choreographed a dance to a medley of popular songs with one of their best friends and performed it for me today. Now, perhaps I’m biased, but I was very impressed. Funny how the years change from diapers and Sponge Bob Square pants episodes to more “big-girl” conversations, text messages and emails and attending swim meets and school plays.
I don’t have children of my own yet, but I think my love for both of my sisters must be pretty damn close to how much I’d love them if I birthed them myself. If one of them is upset, it literally breaks my heart. When they are happy and excited, I am too. I love them both with all my heart and soul. Here’s to another 14 (and more) wonderful years of watching them grow, learn and become adults. Lord help me, I’ll really be old by then (insert rising panic here)! So to both my sisters, I love you more than you know. And to the bigger of the two, I’m wishing you the happiest birthday yet! 🙂 Xoxo