life lessons

Late last week, I watched my Facebook newsfeed flood with posts about National Sibling Day. With the recent passing of my brother, it inevitably triggered an overwhelming sadness that was difficult for me to shake.

Yet as I scrolled through one picture after the other, I realized I was being a total jerk, because I still have two siblings who are alive and well right here, right now. My two sisters mean the world to me, and while I tell them I love them every day, let this be a testament to two of the strongest women I know.

sisters_easter1 — Me, Emily, Mary. Easter 2013. Sorry you look like hell, Em 😉

Mary is my older sister, and the oldest kid in our family. Most who know me recognize Mary because she’s the mother to my feisty, hilarious, gorgeous niece, Alice. Next to my own mother, I truly believe that Mary is the most incredible mother on the entire planet. She has sacrificed more for Alice than the majority of people will ever know or understand. But what’s important to realize is that there is so much more to Mary than just her incredible skills as a mother.

Mary has an unfailing loyalty to family. Without her, I would not be as close to my relatives who live out of state. She is a driving force behind the planning of our family reunions, always making sure that the only thing separating the bond between us all is a few extra miles on a map.

Mary is also the reason why cheerleading is such an instrumental part of my life. As I grew up, I watched her make up choreography in our backyard, had her as my coach when I was just a little girl, and admired her unbridled passion each and every time she performed. I now go to Mary for advice about my own team that I coach and trust her input above all else. I wouldn’t be who I am today without the influences and impact that Mary has had on me.

Mary supporting me at my first competition as a coach!

Emily is my twin sister and honest to God, my better half. Being a twin is the most secure feeling in the world. Emily knows what I’m feeling and thinking before I do, never hesitates to knock me in the head with good ol’ common sense and reassure me that if I just chill out for a second (easier said than done), everything will take the course it’s supposed to.

My number one fan — Can you tell we’re fraternal?

On our most recent birthday, I wrote a post dedicated entirely to Em. As i’m sure most of you reading this who have siblings understand, it’s nearly impossible to encapsulate your family relationships into words. My birthday post to her gets pretty close, though. I encourage you to take a walk down memory lane with me. Emily is one tough betch, I’ll tell ya that much. I grow into a better person each and every day because of what I learn as I admire my beautiful twin sister.

The older I get, the more I respect and admire the absolute hell out of my sisters. They are beautiful on the inside and out, each have their own strengths and weaknesses, and will fight until their dying day to do what’s best for our family. We pick each other back up after we fall, kick each other in the ass (sometimes quite literally) when we need it, always forgive, and love without casting judgement.

I may live the rest of my life with an irreversible sadness that my brother left me too soon, but I’m also going to live the rest of my life knowing that I have two sisters who I am proud to call my friends. That is something I’ll make sure they know without a shadow of a doubt until my dying day. Love you hooligans.

If you don’t already know this about me, I’m a big fan of the TV show How I Met Your Mother. Tonight was the series finale and, to no surprise, it had me laughing and crying all at once. What can I say? I wear my emotions for the world to see!

One of the main takeaways from the show, and especially in tonight’s finale, was that you want your close group of friends to be there for your “big moments,” aka the weddings, children, career advancements, etc.

Of course, this idea had my mind racing. I’m 24 years old, turning 25 in a few months. I’m at that phase in my life where my friends are starting to get married and have kids, some already do. It’s so exciting to be a part of those moments, yet I keep thinking to myself that there were so many smaller moments that led up to those big milestones.

Before my best girlfriends were in long-term relationships that have or will eventually lead to marriage, there were smaller moments that got them there. There were nights of trash talking our exes and sobbing as we ate out of an ice cream carton. There were the butterfly moments of, “Oh my gosh, do you think he even likes me? Should I say something? What should I do?” Those moments seem trivial in retrospect, but they were imperative to get to the big moments that are happening now.

Before both myself and my friends landed jobs that we were actually excited to have, there were many dreadful moments that we went through together. Moments where I scooped ice cream for hours just to make a paycheck that covered not much more than the gas money that it took to get me there; time spent on the phone complaining and talking about how one day these ridiculous jobs would help us pave the way to where we truly wanted to end up.

Well that one day is starting to turn into today. And looking back, I am incredibly grateful that I was there for those now-trivial moments that brought me here. I know that when my big moments continue to come for both myself and the people who matter most in my life, they will mean so much more because the time it took for them to happen was spent with none other than those who helped me get there.

It’s fascinating to me that each and every choice, action, and step we take very realistically shapes our lives and the futures we build for ourselves. We may fall and stumble and sometimes cry our way through it all, but if we have the right people by our sides — the ones who we trust, care for, and genuinely adore — then at least we can rest assured that our future will be worth the wait.

The big moments count, but don’t forget that the little moments are what it takes to get you there.

Confidently Katie

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