Today is the day I am thankful for my little
sister. She's my only sister and she is the
best. We are ten years apart but the age difference isn't remotely recognizable to me. I have always treated her as if she was my own age (sorry mom!) and I will take all the responsibility for why she is so mature! Ha - not really all thanks to me - but seriously, she has always acted much older than her age. Elizabeth gives me the gift of myself every time I'm with her. She is one of the only people in this world that I can truly be who I am completely. We have the ability to make each other laugh (even with her all the way over in Italy I still look up to her bedroom windows whenever I drive over my parents house expecting to see a nice "full moon" - typical, Eliz). She's seen me cry more times than you could count and never has judged my reasons for tears. She has always provided such a sense of comfort for me. She brings out the best of me and has always given me a large amount of confidence in myself. She and I love each other unconditionally! No matter what we are always and will always be there for each other.
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| me, our brother michael and eliz |
Elizabeth is currently in Italy for the entire school year living the traveling college girl dream. As happy as I am for her excursion it has been hard having my little sister so far away from me. I miss texting and chatting and seeing her so badly. Luckily, we can skype and email and facebook but there is nothing like sitting on the couch and hearing her coming down the stairs to hangout "late night" in our basement. Pete and I have been so lucky that she (and her friends!) enjoy hanging out with us so much. When we first moved into our house, she still was a senior in high school, living five minutes down the road. We had so much fun having her and her friends coming over to hang out. It's amazing how "used" to things you can get. I totally took it for granted and I realize now how much I miss her in my daily life.
Eliz is an amazing sister but she's even more of an amazing aunt. She loves Braden (her godson!) and Gracie so much. She loves to play with them. They love to play with her. B used to call her "uh-riz" and now Gracie girl calls her "Lala". It's so cute! They both LOVE to skype with her. I don't feel like I get many words in when they are around because they both are constantly yelling, "hiiiiiii!!!!!". It's cute. One of my most favorite memories with her since I've had kids was the day she came to visit me in the hospital with Gracie. It was a quiet day and her and I just literally laid in my hospital bed while she held Gracie. She and Gracie just cuddled and got to know each other. It was so sweet and special.
So today, on November 21st, I'm thankful for Eliz. It's her 21st birthday. I'm so proud of her. She's beautiful, bright, happy, smart, funny, talented, passionate, committed, loving and enthusiastic lady. She loves the people in her life, especially her family, with all her heart. I'm so thankful for each and every moment she and I have together! I love you Eliz! Happy Birthday!!
