Lesson 3: The Importance of Sisterhood

I have 2 sisters. Many of you may know of my younger sister, Caitlin.


She and I are pretty close. We are 7 years apart in age and we have the same mother, who we grew up with. People say we look a lot alike. We also fight just as sisters who love each other and who rented the same womb at one time or another do. But, in the end, we love each other so much and would do anything for the other. It was no question that when I did get married (someday in a land far far away) that she would be my maid of honor.

Many of you don't know my older sister, Carla.

In fact, I never really remember being told that I had an older sister. I just remember taking a hellish road-trip to Gettysburg with her when I was around 9 or 10 years old and convincing our father that if he bought us pioneer bonnets to wear, we would NEVER take them off, even though it was a balmy 90 degrees outside, easily. She taught me how to shave my legs in a bathroom somewhere in Cooperstown New York during the same trip, when we took a stop at the Baseball Hall of Fame. We never spent a lot of time together growing up, but I was always excited to tell people that I had a big sister who lives far away in Virginia but who loves me and talks to me on the phone all the time. In fact, we might have talked on the phone 6 times our whole lives before I moved to DC/VA! But the idea of talking to her made me so proud!

It was even more exciting during our first hang-out session once I moved here because she told me that she was pregnant with her first baby! My sweet niece, Isabel!! I was so excited and made a mental vow to myself to make a conscious effort to forge a new relationship with her and my niece. I was going to be a great aunt and was going to actually talk to my sister on the phone, and visit her, instead of just pretending.

I'd say, given our insanely busy schedules (and lives in general), we've made good on that agreement! We manage to see each other for Thanksgiving and my niece and nephew's birthdays. In addition, we Facebook frequently, text and talk on the phone occasionally as well.

All-in-all, I'm very lucky and proud to have my sisters in my life. I love them both so much and appreciate the different opinions they share with me and the different advice they give me.

Because of that, I could think of no other way to get married and start my life with Steve (as an aside...Carla's husband, my awesome brother in law, is also named Steve...oh how fun holiday's will be now!!) ...than to have my 2 wonderful sisters be co-maids of honor! One is here and can help with visiting venues, dress shopping, etc. and the other is far away and can help give me that emotional smack down I am sure to need in he coming months.

I'm so happy they both said yes to this plan and I am proud that my sisters will be there on my side of the alter to greet me when I say "I Do." :-)