It seems like it was yesterday when I met Lauren… time has a way of doing that.  She was four years younger than me, which is nothing now… but at the time I felt sorta old being twenty-two and her being eighteen.  I suppose I was kind of like a big sister.

We bonded right away.  It wasn’t long before we were confiding in each other and spending tons of time with one another.

(Lauren and me about 8 years ago.)

Some of my favorite memories are Sunday nights in 05/06 when we would go to I-BAR in Orlando and dance our hearts out to New Wave music.

Then, we got older.  We moved away from home.  We started lives.  However, Lauren and I stayed in touch… seeing each other whenever possible.

(Christmas ’09)

 

(Christmas ’10)

(April ’11 when we took a trip down south and spent time together.)

 

 

Now, she is about to have a baby.  Jerry and I went to her shower on Saturday and it was just so beautiful to see her in this phase.  It’s funny that me, the sorta old one, gets to now watch her become a mama.

(She just makes the most beautiful mommy-to-be.)

 

 

 

Well, little sister… I am so proud of you (and I am open to any tips about this amazing process you are going through.)

 

Love you, Lauren.

 

xo.