i love my sister

Hello blog-friends.  You may know that my sister got married a few weeks ago.  You may also know of my complete obsession with my sister and my brothers.  So I thought you guys might enjoy hearing the thoughts I shared at Caroline's and Brian's rehearsal dinner.  Let me know if you cry reading it!

I love my sister. Thinking about what I would share tonight, I mostly just wanted to remind you, Caroline, of how much I absolutely adore you and how proud I am to be your sister.

Some of you may know that Mom and Dad brought Caroline home from the hospital on my 4th birthday.  The best birthday gift ever! Actually I first learned that our God listens and answers our prayers through the gift of sweet Caroline. I wanted a little sister, so Mom told me to pray for one. When we learned of the baby growing inside of Mom, she told me that it might actually be a brother. I was convinced; however, that since I had prayed for a girl, this little one would be my baby sister. I’m glad he answered my prayers with Caroline, along with later prayers for our awesome brothers, Will and David. What a tangible way to learn about God’s constant provision for me.

I don’t know if all families do this, but at our kitchen table, we always sat in the same seats. Not that it was ever spoken or assigned, but at the ends of the table are always Mom and Dad – Dad’s near the door, and in clockwise fashion, David, Caroline, Mom, me, and Will. When I go home now as an adult, I often think – what if I could go back in time 10 or 15 or 20 years to that same table – and eat daily meals again together. I would savor every moment of it. And we do savor those times we spend together now. I guess what I’m trying to say is that it was truly a gift to sit across the table from Caroline for so many years, and I don’t think I realized what a gift it was at the time.

And now I’ve watched her grow into unbelievably beautiful young lady, inside and out. And I’ve watched her meet and fall in love with an amazing man. We are so thankful for you, Brian, as you have been God’s answer to our prayers for the one He would bring to Caroline. We thought you were the one when we saw the way you care for Caroline and the way she loves you deeply. And we knew you were the one when, in just a few months, you did what we could not do in 25 years… cure her of pouting!

Blessings on your marriage, home, and family. Springer and I can attest that the years to come are filled with amazement, delight, hard work, reward, difficulty, joy, heartbreak, and miracles. We will be here to walk with you, along with a faithful God named Emmanuel.

Love you both so much, and I hope tomorrow begins the happiest days of your life.