An Open Letter To My Sisters

My dear sisters,

I feel privileged.

Privileged, because I never had to work to find those sister-like friendships.

Yes, I have those now, but I was BORN into having five sisters. Five sisters that automatically were my best friends.

I remember being a young girl, watching some of you go off to college, some go off to high school choir rehearsal, some at their first day of the new job.

And with every stage, I remember thinking “I cannot wait to do what she’s doing.”

We were all always at different stages in our lives, yet our hearts have always remained as one.

It’s so strange to imagine us all living under one roof at one time, along with our brother and parents. My goodness, how times have changed, and what I would give to go back in time to those days, just to relive it once more. Those were the best days.

My sisters, you have taught me more things in this life than I could ever even begin to count.

Thank you for teaching me how to fall in love. You have each shown me that there really are the best of men out there. And each of your life partners have proven just that.

Thank you for showing me how to be cautious, yet to still keep an open mind through it all.

Thank you for teaching me to work hard. My sisters, you all had careers before I did, and I watched each and every one of you work your butts off day in and day out for the things in this life that you desired.

Thank you for teaching me to walk with grace. Having five sisters has always meant that I pay close attention to their behavior. And in doing so, they have taught me to dress in elegance, walk with grace, and to always look to Audrey Hepburn as inspiration.

Thank you for teaching me that the only makeovers we need are for the heart.

My sisters, none of you are big on wearing a lot of makeup, and I thank you every single day for that. You have proven to me time and time again that our beauty from within matters FAR more than how much concealer or eye shadow we have on.

Thank you for teaching me that being a mom is one of the most important roles we will ever take on as women.

Each of you show me every single day what it not only looks like to be a mom, but to be a good mom. I am inspired by the sacrifices you all make day in and day out for your children.

Thank you for teaching me to be me.

Sisters, although you made (and still make) fun of me all the time and we joke around, you constantly showed and proved to me the importance of staying true to who I am. Never once have you ever acted fake or inconsistent. Each of you have always worn your name with pride, and never put a second face on.

So sisters, here’s to you. Here’s to the one million and counting lessons you have taught me through the years, and have yet to still teach me.

Thank you for the late night heart to hearts, the shoulders you have lent me to cry on, the laughter until we couldn’t breathe, the pep talks, the endless compliments, the hand-me-downs, the girl chats, and the forever memories.

I must say – being the youngest definitely has its perks.

I love you girlies. Always and forever.

Your youngest sis, Teresa