erin...

there aren't very many relationships in life comparable to the relationship shared between sisters.. best friends come close.. but there is something different about having someone in your life that has been there at every milestone you've ever passed.. she's closer than a best friend.. she just knows you.. she can read the expression on your face just by hearing the tone in your voice over the phone.. and she can tell the difference between your fake smile and the smile that starts in your heart... she's watched you grow.. helped you conquer life's challenges.. she's seen you at your best and she's seen you at your VERY VERY worst.. she's laughed and shared in the happiest of memories.. and she's stuck with you through times of loss and brokenness.. and she knows exactly where you're coming from because she came from the same place..

our mom has always called erin and me "daylight and dark" because we are so different.. and i'm really hoping this doesn't carry any implications with it but... for some reason i'm darkness and she gets to be light.. i'm going to believe that it has to do with skin complexion and hair color.. and hopefully nothing else.. hmm.. but we are.. we're quite different.. everything from her bright blue eyes to my dark hazel eyes.. she's blonde and i'm brunette.. she's a genius at math and i can barely add... i love to write poems and songs.. and she loves to hear them ;) and we are different in other ways too.. ever since we were kids i've always kind of been the loud one who got into trouble whenever possible.. and she was always the angel child that all mothers hope and pray for.. and it doesn't matter how much i grow and change over the years.. i really did myself in as a youngster with that smart mouth of mine... i can't seem to shake the reputation of being somewhat of a tough-skinned spit-fire as far as my family is concerned.. but i promise.. no matter what they say.. i am sweet :) and erin will forever be the sensitive and gentle-hearted one.. you can't change that about her.. and no one ever should.. there is fierce strength within her sensitive heart.. and that is a gift.. God uses her to love and prayerfully protect so many of His own.. and she does it faithfully..

its an interesting thing.. growing up alongside a sister who is so much different than i am.. because it's such a natural tendency to look over at her and wonder how on earth we managed to come from exactly the same roots and be so very different in character.. and i think its a beautiful testimony of God's creativity.. he makes us all distinctly unique.. no two the same.. because we are all intended to bring him a different portion of His glory that only WE were designed to retreive.. which is incredible if you really think about it..

i am so thankful that God blessed me with such a beautiful sister to go through life with on this earth.. she is so good at knowing everything about me and still loving me... reminds me of Jesus :)

we are sisters.

we are friends...

"A sister is a little bit of childhood that can never be lost."
~Marion C. Garretty

love you erin :)