100 Years

Today marks two weeks since my sister’s wedding so I wanted to dedicate this post to her. On Friday May 30th, she was married and I couldn’t be happier for her. It was a beautiful ceremony, small and intimate, with only family and a very few close friends. Because of this I was the only one standing up with her, and am extremely thankful I was able to be apart of her big day. Still, it was a heart wrenching experience.

As her older sister, I remember the little girl I grew up with, and sometimes still think of her that way. She and I have weathered our childhoods together, through thick and thin. Though we may have wanted to kill each other at times, we grew into the closest of friends. So two weeks ago, standing beside her as she said her vows, I was battling tears and laughter. A joy that overflowed at seeing her so happy, and a bittersweet sadness at one era ending and another beginning. We are both moving on in this crazy thing called life and the years are coming faster and faster. (five for the fighting – 100 Years)

I was feeling especially nostalgic the days leading up to the wedding, remembering all the crazy wonderful times she and I have had in recent years. One thing that’s generally true about my sister and I is that she tends to do things first. Not everything, I’m the traveler in the family and she still hasn’t stepped on a plane, but in most things yes. As kids I was always the cautious one, sometimes I even made my sister do things first to make sure it was safe. Whether it was the monkey bars, sledding down a steep hill, or riding a bike, she was my test dummy, (I know terrible big sister, right?) It’s amazing she even lived this long!

But that was reflective of our personalities I guess. She’s always been the passionate, rush in head first type, and I’ve always been the slow thinker; sometimes over-thinker. It worked for our relationship though and helped me to be a better big sister as we got older by providing (what I hope was) wisdom.

For that reason when people ask how I feet about my little sister marrying before me, I say fine, and I mean it. It’s our norm. It almost seems fitting that she was the first. Like we’re still staying true to ourselves even as we are leaving childhood behind. If there is one thing true about my sister and I, it’s that we love each other. Even when we don’t agree, that doesn’t change. She is the only blood sister I have and for that reason i will always, always wish for her happiness.

So, congrats to my baby sister and new brother. You may not have 100 years, but take time and enjoy the ones you will have. I’m so glad your fairy tale is just beginning!