Because, I do.

You know those really special blog posts that you start at the beginning of the month and work on it til you have every right sentence structure, good analogies, and little jokes to keep that reader interested?

That is definitely one of those posts.

Do you remember when you were 6 months old, mom was working hard to keep the house clean, and I kept you entertained in the front room by jumping off the couch right over top of you saying 'boo?' all you could do was laugh your face off... because it was so easy to laugh at that age?

- I do.

Do you remember all our fights we have had... and most of them end up being about how mom and dad have split up and how it has affected us both so differently... but so similar?

- I do.

Do you remember me baby sitting you and Addi all day so Mom and Colie could go to work? We played bank, house, barbies, and even argued over who got the pink prom dress for their barbie.

- I do.

Do you remember that one summer we wanted to go camping... so we took it upon ourselves to bust out our tent and have a camp-out in our own backyard?

-I do.

Do you remember when I moved to New York after high school, and the move was so tiring that you fell asleep with your knees kneeling on the ground and your head resting on the edge of my bed? Looking at you my heart broke that I had to be selfish for leaving you behind so I could better myself.

- I remember it.

Do you remember when I got off work early so I could come see you leave for your very first high school dance and I took a gazillion pictures like a mom would?

-I do.

Do you remember when Santa came bursting through our front door for the first time and you were crying tears of joy waving so gently, saying, "Hi, Christmas! Hi, Christmas!"?

-I do.

Do you remember when we went to Las Vegas for your dance competition and we were so excited to be there that we jumped on the hotel beds?... oh and when you fell down like, 980,686 steps in front of a group of boys?

- I do.

Do you remember going to Disneyland and while waiting for the firework show to start you fell asleep in mom's lap... I tried waking you up and you were such a sass; you refused to wake up?

- I do.

Do you remember our awkward moments as little tikes?

-boy.. I do.

Do you remember sharing a room together and I would never let you touch any of my things for fear of you breaking it?

- I do.

Do you remember the day we figured out that we could fit in each others clothes? AND shoes?

- I do.

Do you remember the time mom bundled us up to go play in the freshly fallen snow and I threw my first snowball at you and you peed your pants because I accidentally threw it on your face? That was a short play date.

- I do.

Do you remember when I spoke at your baptism?

- I do.

Do you remember the first time you ever bore your testimony in sacrament meeting and you talked about how much I have helped you? Or do you remember your first talk you ever gave in sacrament?

- I do.

Do you remember wearing overalls.. every.single.day?

-I do.

Do you remember those dance videos we always made when nothing else could entertain us, except for those wonderful moments we could laugh at each other for looking like complete fools?

- I do.

Do you remember how you taught me that praying every night will help me get through for the next day to come?

-I do.

Do you remember the time you and mom weren't getting along because your room was messy and you laid on your bed crying... holding a quote, that I'm certain, was a blessing straight from heavenly father?

"Be strong and of a good courage

be not afraid neither be thou dismayed

for the Lord thy God is with thee

withersoever thou goest."

- I do.

Do you remember that time we pranked dad and turned all the pictures in the house sideways and he dropped his dinner down the stairs... we were lucky enough to get that on film?

- I do.

Do you remember the time Kylee was coming over to see you and you ran to the front door screaming only to find out it was our home teachers?

- I do.

Do you remember how every Friday I get you late to school? ... because getting ready together is so
distracting, all we want to do is talk and we could if school just let us.

- I do.

Do you remember the day we went out to take pictures of ourselves for mom and dad and it was like below zero outside...? annnnd we were by a lake? Or how about the time we went when it was hotter than sin outside?

- I do.

Do you remember when I took you to get your hair permed for your birthday?

- I do.

Do you remember when we got dressed up for those saloon pictures and Avery told the lady we were taking pictures of ourselves in the dressing rooms...? we were caught red handed.

- I do.

Do you remember when I held you for the first time?

- I do.

Do you remember how we always talk about how you will play with my kids like how you do with Log's and nessie?

-I do.

Do you remember those times you helped me in primary so much that all the kids wondered where their other teacher was?

- I do.

Do you remember when we went swimming and that seagull dropped a whole subway sandwich on your head?

- I do.

Do you remember getting ice tea's and large french fries after school... only to be known as the best after school snack in the world?

-I do.

Do you remember how all of my best, funniest, saddest, proudest moments are shared with you?

-Because I do.

While many of these memories are funny and feel good to look back on, there are many that are tough and we usually wonder why we did the things we did or we look back on those great trials and feel good about how far we have come from them. One thing I love looking back on is the blessing of having you in my life. I still think to this day, how could I have possibly lived seven years of my life without you? I can't even imagine how I did it. All I ever wanted was sister and it didn't matter if I had to share my room or my toys to get one. Being so young I always wondered how mom and dad just couldn't quite understand how badly I needed you. Being 22... now I understand ;)

There is really no special reason of why I wanted to share a post such as this... but my sister is special to me. I realize as I get older and talk more about my future our talks get cut short because we, both, don't want myself to move out... afraid of losing that bond, that friendship that truly is a choice. I just want my sister to know I will forever remember these memories, I will forever talk to her every single day and with whatever my future holds she will always be my best friend, closest sibling, & partner in crime.

I love you junebug. 'Til we're oldies.

xo.