Happy Birthday. . .

To the most wonderful sister I could have ever asked for, Happy 25th Birthday! I can't believe my little sister, Jeanna is 25 today. I am completely bummed that I can't be there to hug her and celebrate with her. But I am thankful that we have grown into best friends.   Growing up Jeanna and I had several issues. To be honest, we couldn't stand each other. She was the baby of the family for many years and there wasn't a day that she wouldn't tell you about it. lol She was such a brat!! She drove me insane.

Our mother always loved having someone to cling to and for the first 5 years of Jeanna's life, she was that person. I remember how she would tattle on me for EVERYTHING !! It didn't even have to be anything specific, just anything I did, she had to tell on me. I remember her and I fighting so badly at times that she would chase me through the house with a knife. lol We were such brats. I knew how to provoke her and get under her skin. It was just a thing we both thought we had to do. . . to hate each other that is. Then my senior year of high school came and she was a freshman. That was such a great year. I loved having someone follow me around and being able to help her was an awesome feeling. We were both on the cheerleading squads and at one point we were both on the varsity team, (I think?) It was a great year for us and we really got close after that. She was my best friend. . .my only friend actually. She then moved up north to Aurora, IL and we drifted apart a bit for a few years. I was so troubled with the things happening at home and a bit angry that she had left me to deal with it all alone. I understand now that she HAD to leave. A few short years later, I did the same.

It took a few years to get back in touch with each other. When Jaxon was born in 2003, life really got going again. She was just in awe of him and loved to be around him. She is an amazing Aunt!! I don't think the kids talk to me as much as they do her. She is always there and knows every detail of their lives. I love it. Jaxon lost his 1st tooth 2 weeks ago and as soon as I pulled it he asked, "Can we call Aunt Nena?"  I am so grateful that she has them and they have her. In my family, "love" doesn't come without a price or strings attached, but I think Jeanna and I are teaching each other that we can change the generational patterns and be happy without all the drama and sadness. If we stick together we will and can make it!! I love her!!

These were the only pictures I could find of us as kids. (I don't have many pictures from childhood.) I am just so happy and honored to call her my sister and my best friend![gallery link="file" order="DESC"]