My Sister, My Friend

I was thinking just today
About how we used to play
Barbie dolls and make-up,
Tea parties, dress up...

Sisters are the best.
Maybe I'm a little biased because I grew up in a house of all girls and never had a brother.
But there's something special about a bond between girls who have seen each other through life's ups and downs. They're the friends you never out-grow and the enemies you usually make up with five seconds after the fight started.

I have five sisters.
Together we make an inseparable group of six.
Two were born from the same mother and father as I was.
Two joined the family and have been there through thick and thin.
One is part in law and in love.

Meet my sisters:

 Kellie is the oldest.
She's the mama hen-- the voice of wisdom.
She looks out for the rest of us.
She's a great listener
But she has to be
Because she's the big sister.

Bean's given name is actually Brenda

But nobody calls her that. 

To us, she's just Bean.

She's a wild child. 

And a United States Marine.

She's been on a ship in the Mediterranean Sea for the past 11 months.

But she's coming home tomorrow. 

Manda cries if she steps on a bug.

She has a tender heart.
But it's part of what makes her so amazing.
She's always been a loyal friend. 

She was around long before The Lieutenant and I started dating

Now she's my sister 

I know she'll there for me forever.

Amanda marches to her own rhythm.

She's a free spirit.

And she's always been my better half.

We balance each other's strengths and weaknesses.

Even though she's younger than I am, 

In many ways, I look up to her.

Audrey is the baby sister. 

People always ask us if we're twins.

But actually, she's 6 years younger than I am. 

She's kind of an old soul, 

wise for her years.

I guess she's learned from some of our mistakes.

And I'm glad for that. 

It's late and I should go
But I can't hang up the phone

Until I tell you

What I don't tell you enough...

I remember when I was younger my mom used to tell me, "Friends come and go, but sisters are forever."

I guess I never really understood what that meant until I became an adult.
In high school everyone is your best friend.
In college you have a group of best friends.
But when you become an adult, you realize who your best friends really are.

And mine are my sisters.

I love you all.
Wouldn't trade you for anything.

Even though at times it seemed

We were more like enemies

I'd do it all again

My sister, my friend.

Most of the pictures above were taken by Donna Good. Like them? Check out her site, www.alifeinfocusphotography.com