Christkindlmarket and my sister

For about a month now my little sister, Molly, has asked me weekly to meet up with her at the German Market, Christkindlmarket, in Chicago.

Today, Chris and I are going.

But that's not really what this blog is about...

I love my little sister. Before she was born I was the second oldest of three rough housing, testosterone pumping, constantly covered in filth boys. I could also go on and on about how thankful I am for my brothers...Maybe I will. But there's just something about having a sister. It's a connection that I can't put into words. Her intelligence, determination, humor, wit, and beauty never cease to amaze me. Upon meeting her, most can't help but say that she's "as cute as it gets." And it's very true...But what I love most about her is her personality.

I remember when my mom told me she was pregnant. Just about every Sunday from then on out I prayed, "God, please give me a baby sister. If you do, I will go to church for the rest of my life!"(Something I am now realizing I haven't lived up to. Crap.)

On the day my mom was to have a sonogram to find out the sex of my new baby sister (PLEASE GOD, PLEASE!) or baby brother (Oh, well...Being the only girl certainly has its perks!) my mom pulled me out of school. I was in the sixth grade. I don't really remember being in the doctor's office. But I do remember that as soon as I heard, "It's a girl!" I tried really really hard to keep a huge silly smile off my face.

When Molly was a toddler, she was very different from me. She HAD to wear a dress or a skirt to school every. single. day. When I was little I would kick and scream if my mom even suggested that I wear a dress. One time I deliberatly poured ketchup on a dress so I couldn't wear it. I think that was when my mom gave up. Well, Mom, you got your wish with Molly and sometimes I think you regretted it.

However, as Molly got older, my family's twisted sense of humor began to creap up. One day, my mom was confronted by Molly's preschool teacher. Apparently, Molly had threatened to set another little girl's brother on fire. Yes...That's right. While my mom and Molly's teacher were trying really hard not to laugh, they tried to understand why Molly would say anthing like that. So...When my mom asked her, she simply expained, "Mom, she said she was going to set my house on fire so I told her I was going to set her brother on fire." Obviously, to her it was just innocent conversation and she didn't fully grasp what she was saying. But her older siblings did...And when we laughed, my mom scolded us. But it was too late. I think it was then that Molly started to understand what would make us laugh.

Last time I was home she went to the gym with me to lift weights. She wanted to strengthen her arms for the upcoming volleyball tryouts. Now, when I work out, it's pretty intense. I know my friend, Rynn, sometimes wonders if I'm nuts when she comes along with me. So when I went to the gym with Molly, I was pretty determined to have a hard workout while she just simply tagged along and did what she could, being only 12.

Well, that didn't happen. The entire time I managed to get out 2 or 3 reps before Molly did something hilarious and I buckled over in laughter. Every time I tried to seriously show her some moves, she did about one rep, got bored, and made a joke out of it. It's times like those that I wish I had a video camera glued to my head.

To this day, my brothers and I often comment about how our family is hilarious, but Molly takes the cake. She's very witty and quick. Being the youngest, her humor is pretty mature. I'm sure there are things that run through her head that probably rated PG-13, maybe even R sometimes, but she knows better than to say them. Usually when I go home, I sleep in her room, which means I'm up until about midnight giggling like I'm, well, 12 again.

What I'm getting at, I guess is that I am extremely lucky to have a sister, to have MY sister. I'm reminded of this each time I pass by her picture in my apartment, when she asks me endless questions about how her body is changing and why, when she makes me laugh so hard that I usually cry, and just watching her grow up. Having a sister is having a best friend, and knowing that she will always be your best friend.