Birthday Love

Today is my little sister's Birthday.

My sister, Christi, is the most beautiful, caring, genuine person I know. She has the biggest heart and it is made of solid gold.

I have always been envious of her confidence, her outgoing personality and the way she can walk into a room and light the place up. She is quick and witty, hilarious and spontaneous. The life of a party. The bearer of sunshine.

 

She is a trend setter.

Obviously oozing with class. 

Even when we were younger. 

If Christi were given 50 acres, she would create an animal shelter or a wildlife refuge. She has always donate to charity and volunteered her time at animal shelters. She is an upstanding citizen. An advocate for those who have no voice. 

Christi has a soft spot in her heart for all creatures great and small. 

Even the creepy crawly ones. 

...and the slithery ones.

...despite our mother's personal fears.

These two hold her heart.

As sisters, we fought over everything shared our adolescence. We spent hours creating our own Barbie Dream House in the basement because our parents/Santa would never fork one over by intricately drawing each room in the carpet using a comb. We were creative. We had to be. Our club house was the dog's kennel. We built leaf houses in the fall. Snowmen in the winter.

We rocked leg warmers, walk-man's, leotards and jean skirts with zippers in the 80's.

 

We were proud participants in the bang revolution. 

We loved Skate City, Fun Plex, trampolines and camping out in the back yard.

Christi has been a part of every special moment in my life.

She was the best Maid of Honer on my wedding day.

But dearer to my heart, she has graciously taken on the roll of "Aunt" to my children.

This has to be one of my favorite pictures. The first time Christi held my Brown Eyed Girl. 

Pure joy.

She is the kind of Aunt that loves to play. The kind of Aunt that always has gum. 

 

The kind of Aunt that loves to snuggle with her niece and nephew.

 

I am so lucky to have such a wonderful sister. 

 

My beautiful sister is so adventurous. So brave. 

 

She even jumps out of perfectly good airplanes.

Christi is not afraid to try new things. 

 
She recently picked up the game of golf.

A few months ago, my sister started training.

 

Christi ran her fist 5K, ever, just a couple weeks ago. Technically she ran 4.2 miles. I better get that right or she might beat me. I was/am so proud of her!

Adventurous...

Christi loves to travel. She loves seeing all the beautiful places put forth on this earth. Man made, or made by heaven. 

 

We have stood on top of glaciers together.

 

We have enjoyed the sunshine from soft, sandy beaches, welcoming the sand between our toes.

And next year, My beautiful sister and I are going to take a trip of a lifetime together. We are squirreling away our money. Eagerly preparing spreadsheets and itineraries planning an adventure to Croatia and Italy. Just in time for her to kiss away her twenties.

 

I can hardly wait!

 

Thank you mom and dad for giving me the very best sister a girl could ask for. 

Happy Birthday Christi! I love you - every day!

~Sissy