Birthday Woman

My sister's birthday is around this weekend and since her 16th birthday when I posted a birthday wishes post to her she feels that every year she deserves a post. Actually she's become more demanding about my posts and feels that every post should mention her or be about her or something to do with her. You'd think she'd write her own blog....

So here's a post in honor of her last year as a teenager.

Nineteen

Since your 16th birthday and being granted permission to date, you have succeeded in going on more dates total than all 5 of your siblings combined. Way to go!

You have had at least one boyfriend and an unique proposal to be proposed to at a later date. And you are now trying to figure out how to Dear John someone. I've never had to do that and am enjoying watching you go through this; it's hilarious. Your courage astounds me.

You have had your heart broken by a guy who didn't deserve your heart in the first place. (Taking deep breaths because he still ticks me off and should be so lucky I wasn't there and had no money to travel to slash his tires, etc.)

You have given me great advice and asked who was the older sister in this relationship. You have experienced extraordinary things and are a brave woman.

You have not driven a car...legally. Although, I am sure sometime before you are 30 you will acquire a Driver's License or Permit.

You are slowly taking your time preparing for the GED. This is a huge accomplishment as I know the whole idea of going to school, taking tests, sitting in a classroom, or being around studious people gives you panic attacks. I am very proud of the scores you have made on all your practice exams.

You make me laugh and have done what no one else is willing to do...be my friend and Skype with me for hours at a time doing nothing productive nor conversing about anything profound. You're the only one willing to hang with me when I am severely depressed and only want to eat cookie dough. You are the best online cooking assistant in the whole world and I am sure the only reason I have not become seriously malnourished is because you have made me fix food and eat the past 6 months.

The person-we-don't-talk-about-because-he's-a-jerk thought this particular BYU Devotional applied to you and I'm in a good place now to share that with you. The pain over those memories/conversations when we were getting your Tokyo Christmas present has gotten less sharp.

"Ships Are Safe in the Harbor"

In short, you are pretty wonderful and I'm sorry when we are out in public that people think I'm your mom. (It's been that way your whole life; deal with it.)

Have a marvelous Birthday with 2/3 of the nephews and enjoy this last year of teenagerland. Soon they will revoke your membership and expect you to be an adult. Find someone you want to marry you before that happens and you turn out like me.

Love your guts, MJT!!!