About how we used to play,
Barbie dolls and make-up,
Tea parties dress up.
Wish we were kids again.
My sister, my friend."
[Reba.McEntire]
When my mom was four years old, she met this girl named Kay.
They went to each other's weddings.
They were there for the births of children.
They comforted each other and laughed.
They have never lived more than 2 1/2 hours away from each other.
They enjoyed many adventures together.
Fifty plus years later, they have remained best friends.
This is where our story begins.
As far back as I can remember, the Mills family has been an important part of my life. Affectionately known as "Momma" Kay and "Daddy" Ron, they are not only dear friends, but they are family. And being part of the family comes countless stories and many memories from over the years.
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| my 18th birthday party |
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My brother and I always considered their three kids - Hope, Joseph, and Karri - the older siblings we never had. We became experts as we tried to beat Joseph in James Bond: Golden Eye on the Nintendo 64. We played in the secret play room behind my dad's closet in our old house. We made up funny stories. We took beach trips together. Our families both had pop-up trailers, so camping was a tradition - where we made a secret fort in the woods, which I'm sure we could still find to this day.
Karri and I are only five years apart, and when I was younger I always thought of her as being "so much older than me." One thing that I appreciate about her is that even when she was in high school she never thought of herself as being "too cool" to hang out with me. She had her close friends, but it meant so much to know that I had someone who would play PacMan or Sonic on the Sega [yes folks, we are going real old school] with me, who would spend time talking with me about life, or who would even sing at the top of our lungs Destiny's Child and K-Ci and Jojo together.
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| somewhere in Charlottesville with red-eye |
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| my 18th birthday party |
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| girls weekend to Lancaster |
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| bridal shower |
Two years ago I took a trip down to Roanoke to attend two friends graduation from Virginia Tech. Well, it just so happened that Karri's special someone was also graduating from Tech. This was the first time that I met Brandon. I met them in a parking lot on campus anticipating meeting this guy who was dating my sister. The song lyrics of the popular song from White Christmas ran through my head... "Lord help the mister, who comes between me and my sister..."
After being introduced he politely shook my hand and said that Karri had told him so much about me. What he didn't know was that he was about to under-go some serious sister interrogation. We traveled downtown and ate lunch at little place called Cabo's where we enjoyed each other's conversation and the best lemon shrimp tacos I have ever tasted. If you all are ever in Blacksburg, you will regret not going there.
Our short visit came to an end and we had to part our separate ways. Already saying my goodbyes to Karri and giving her one of those long sister hugs, I said goodbye to Brandon and told him it was nice to meet him. Being the good ol' country boy that he is, just saying goodbye wasn't enough. He came over and gave me a hug. Maybe he was making sure that he made a good impression on the little sister that he had heard so much about, or maybe he was just being a friendly, southern boy. Either way I knew this guy was a keeper in the family.
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| they make pretty faces... |
Well, on a cold October morning during a sunrise hike, Brandon asked Karri those four simple words: "will you marry me?" Enthusiastically she said yes. And I could not be happier for her. My big sister who I always looked up to, who made me laugh, who makes the best duck noise, was finally engaged. Now I have the awesome opportunity to watch as she falls in love with her best friend.
Karri Marie - I will forever be grateful for that day our moms met and became life-long friends. I can't imagine my childhood/life without you. I am thrilled that the day you have dreamt of since you were a kid has finally come. And I am honored to share your special day with you not only as your sister, but as one of your bridesmaids.
Mr. Brandon - Take care of her. Treat her well. And if you don't, prepare for the wrath of all three of her siblings.
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