National Sister Week: This One's for You Ash

Tonight I said a teary, temporary goodbye to my sister on Skype because she's leaving for Africa tomorrow for three weeks and we don't know what kind of communication she'll be able to have with us. She's going on a mission trip through our church, MDPC, to teach English to teachers in Ethiopia. Last year Ash went to Uganda and assisted a village and its orphanage, so this is her second mission trip. Since arriving in Zurich, I have Skyped with her every few days and it's brought me more comfort than I realized, so now that she's leaving and I don't know how much or if I will get to see her face and hear her voice for 20 days, it's hitting me hard. I think we talk more now that I'm gone than when I am at home just 15 minutes away! Ash has had a challenging year with many transitions, and I think it's a perfect time for her to get away. I fiercely admire her courage and initiative in going on this journey. She is doing the Lord's work with a serving heart...and of that I'm truly proud.

I don't recall my life without her, my memory doesn't stretch back that far. She came along when I was three and a half and my mom says that I called her my baby instead of my sister. And so began the adventures of Briana and Ashley. All the home videos of us when we were young depict the typical big sis/lil sis dynamic: she followed me everywhere and wanted to do everything I did, and I pretended to hate it! When I was performing my first ballet routine for the camera, Ash ran through the den in a diaper and a cowboy hat, saying "Hi Daddy". Of course this meant I had to start all over! She generally copied my every move and let me do pretty much anything to her, including decorate her face with paint! She had the cutest voice, and there are some famous clips at my parent's house of her singing "Tomorrow" from Annie. We loved to dress up and sing for the camera every week, which my parents were always kind enough to indulge. I remember making blanket forts with my Dad, and him taking us Trick or Treating each year while mom stayed home to hand out candy. I remember countless amazing vacations, all meticulously planned out by my mother. And ohhh, the matching outfits!! I recall gymnastics classes and piano lessons, and birthday parties with clowns who made balloon animals. We did summer camps together at Laity Lodge, Sea World, and TUTS. Ashley has a really beautiful voice, something I've always envied. I love to sing with her because I know her voice will carry mine as well, and we like jamming to the Dixie Chicks. There were countless times over the years that the giggles were contagious and unending. We trade movie quotes and share inside jokes that no one else understands. I got married a few weeks before Christmas, and I just couldn't bring myself to break Ashley's and my lifelong tradition of sleeping in the same bed on Christmas Eve, sooo, sweet Michael humored me and I slept in between them, hehe! Not to mention the Euro-trip we took in 2006 when the three of us shared hotel rooms for weeks! I often say that Ash is the female version of Michael because they have a lot of similar personality traits. She has dyed her hair numerous colors and literally they all look good with her eyes and skin! And she has these amazing curls which totally match her vibrant personality. She is such a spontaneous free spirit, like a breath of fresh air, a true individual. I knew when I got pregnant I'd ask Ashely to be our baby's godmother. She and Jake have such a sweet and fun connection that is so special to see. When he first started talking, he could only call her "tee" but now he is able to say "Auntie", always with a big smile on his face that shows just how much he loves her. She's a really devoted teacher with a true heart for children. I think it's one of her best qualities and yet it's sadly one of the most under appreciated jobs. She cares so much about the impact she has on her kids, and I know each child is blessed by her genuine heart.

Ashley and I were the perfect amount of time a part in age. We were near enough that we stayed really close, but not so much that we were ever competitive with each other. We had one year of high school together, her freshman and my senior, which was so much fun! I loved being a Freshman Young Life leader to her and her friends my last year at Memorial. Our nicknames for each other are Sasquatch and sissy. Something my Dad's mom always used to say was that we needed to be kind and love one another because we are the only sister each other has. She was an only child and I think it was important to her to help us recognize what a gift a sister is. My parents always encouraged a strong, loyal, healthy bond between us and I am so thankful for how they shaped our relationship. They allowed us to develop as individuals while fostering our desire to respect each other's differences with love. In many ways Ash and I are very much alike, and in others, not at all. I think we've done a good job of giving each other room to discover and grow into who we each want to be. We can fight hard, but we always love harder. I know her influence makes me a better person, and I can expect her to tell me the truth in ways others probably won't. No one knows us like we know each other or our family's dynamic, and there is comfort and camaraderie in that. I know her sh-- and she knows mine, and we love each other just the same. Our bond is unspoken, unconditional, and unseverable.

ASHLEY is beautiful, funny, witty, earth friendly, fun-loving, animal activist, patient, music junky, sarcastic, forgiving, avid reader, playful, early riser, silly, kind-hearted, computer savvy, yummy cook, artistic, generous with her time, boho chic, Christ lover, devoted teacher, creative, hippy spirited, loyal, independent thinker, brave, doting aunt and godmother, loving sister and daughter, and my best friend.

I love you, Ash and I'm immeasurably blessed to have you as my sister! I'm so proud of who you are and what you stand for. I know God has big things in store for you and I can't wait to see how it all unfolds. Thank you for all the memories so far, I know there is a lifetime ahead of many more! Have an amazing trip and DON'T FORGET HOW MUCH YOUR BIG SISTER LOVES YOU!!