Day 8- Katy

11/8/13

My sister Katy is in town from California visiting some friends and family. She is one of two of my older sisters, and though we look semi-alike (or so I am told at times) we couldn't be more different. For example, when Christmas rolls around and I am trying to think of a present to get her, I think to myself, "Do I like this?" If the answer is yes, then I put it back down on the shelf because that means she probably won't ;)

{Scariest day in Chicago- when we rode bikes in the street!}

For most of my life, my sister Katy has been more like a mother than a sister. 

Her and I share the same birthday, but we are 6 years apart, so you can imagine how that has played into our relationship. Early on in our lives, Katy took care of me, made me feel better, and let me play with her when I wanted. Some of my favorite memories of growing up were when she would tuck me in at night and whisper a good dream in my ear that almost always started with me being able to fly :) Then she would leave the hall light on for me so I wouldn't get scared and leave her bedroom door open across the hall so I would know she was never too far away. She was sweet huh?

{Birthdays}

When we got a little older, I became more annoying and she became more pre-teen. I started to get locked out of her room when she had friends over, and we fought like cats and dogs. I specifically remember telling on her ALL THE TIME to mom just to get her in trouble because I was mad that she didn't let me play with her. Though I'm not sure how long that phase lasted, I do feel like it was normal sister-sister fighting stuff!

Eventually, Katy went off to college at ISU, and I was in middle school. Though I was too cool to admit to people back then, her leaving was extremely difficult on me. I was very sad that she wouldn't be around, especially for our birthday because we had always shared that day together. Katy would email me and tell me about her college life, and when I entered high school, she would specifically give me advice on things. Our relationship shifted from being sisters, to Katy being more of a mom, and it worked for a while. 

{Sisterssss}

When I went to college, I was still getting the Katy/mom advice and I feel like that made our relationship harder for me. I didn't want another mom, I wanted my sister, and I didn't feel like I was getting that. When I graduated college, I was living in an apartment with Tommy, we were planning our wedding, and Katy had just moved out to LA. Before she left, I remember wishing that I had gone to Chicago more often to see her and hang out with her, but never actually doing it because it seemed so far away...well then she moved out to LA and she was SUPER far away :( so lesson learned: hang out with your family before they move across the country, or something like that.

{Katy's Going Away Party}

While she was out in LA, trying new things and chasing her dreams, I was finishing up student teaching and stressing about finding a teaching job in a time when the job market for being teacher SUCKED. 

 {Rehearsal Dinner and Bachelorette Party 2011}

{Wedding 6/17/11}

Eventually I got hired, and then my husband got in an accident and my sister was on a plane in a flash. Katy stayed with me for about a month....giving me a shoulder to cry on, staying strong for me when I needed it, making sure I ate food everyday and helping me remember to sleep, be it in the uncomfortable plastic chair in the ICU room or my own bed at home. Though Katy became more like a super-mom taking care of me all the time, it was exactly what I needed in the moment. 

I think for me that is when our relationship started to transform into what it is today. I feel like Katy is really now a bit of a sister and a mother to me, but a good combination of both. We have meaningful conversations about life, politics, opinions, and our childhood. I like talking to her about what's going on in the world (when I call her back...because I'm not the best at that...heh). 

{Christmas 2012}

{Chrissy's B-Day 2013}

{California Trip 2013}

{Us and the Redwoods}

 

{Camping on the Beach}

{Back from camping- tired but happy}

{Last day in LA}

Overall, I am super thankful for my sister Katy and her role she has played in my life for the past 25 years. It couldn't have been easy, and I'm sure that it will continue with it's challenges as my life (and her life) unfolds, but I am so thankful she is along for the ride :) Love you!

{We even sleep alike}