19 years ago today.

19 years ago today, my baby sister was born. 

In technical terms, Katie is my cousin. Her father is my mother's brother. (Try saying that ten times fast) She was welcomed by three older brothers, and it was my first encounter with another "girl" in the family. I was only a one year old when she came into this great life..so I don't remember much surrounding her initial arrival. What I do remember is my childhood, with her, at our grandma Sandy's. 

I remember wearing our grandma's high heals and lip stick at age 3. I remember fighting on the first step of the stairs, for hours. I remember walking to the Hanna store..and while Kate was fearless on that 2 mile journey, I (the paranoid one) carried a nail file in my back pocket, "just in case". I remember grandma putting hot rollers in our hair. And during the wait until the reveal, Katie did my makeup, and I did hers. And oh boy, did we feel like movie stars. I remember sneaking down those creaking stairs, trying not to make a sound, and crawling to the computer chair, where our grandpa was playing spider solitaire. We would release that lever on the bottom of the chair, and he would jolt down, startled. (how mean was this?!) He wasn't too happy, but he still loved us..even if we were ornery. I remember putting ribbons and bows in his silver hair and laughing really hard. I remember baking homemade cookies with grandma, and while Kate was always the "cook" I just kind of watched and ate the dough. I remember Dr. Cassel and playing restaurant. I remember Rebecca's and singing contests. I remember practicing corn rows on each other, till our heads hurt..and playing cards at the river. And most of all, I remember having a sister..even though I really didn't have a sister at all. 

Katie gave me memories. Good memories. Memories that bring tears to your eyes, from laughter. And the ones that I've shared are only a few pages in a very large book. 

We understand each other and our crazy family. And I know that through each important event in my life..she will be there. I know that through every adventure and risk, Katie will support me. I know that I know what it's like to have a true and genuine sister, because of her. 

I often wonder, what if. What if my uncle and aunt hadn't been in the right place at the right time? What if they'd never met, and I'd never had Kate. And the answer to those "what if's" is my childhood would have been empty. So, when it comes to Katie's birthday, I'm reminded of how lucky I am..all because she was born. 

Happy Birthday, Katie. And if you're reading, I hope you know how very proud I am of my favorite girl. I love you, sis. 

Wishing my readers a day full of love and happiness. May your hearts stay warm.