And then there were three...

11 years ago, this month, she moved away from home. She moved far away from home. She took her bed, her books, her clothes. She took her dresser and her rollerskates. She even gathered her cats and took them too. The trailer and van were packed with precision, with a little help from her father. She set out for college and hopes and dreams.
She left behind her mom, stepdad and dad. She left behind her sister and her nephews. She left behind her friends and her barbies. She left behind all her doubts (if she had them I could never tell). But she also left behind a renewed relationship with me.
The summer she graduated from highschool was the summer I first became friends with her. I missed her terribly; even before she was gone. We talked on the phone often. I went to see her a few times and she came home to visit at Christmas and breaks. And then she met him.
I knew from the first time she spoke of him that he was the one. She loved him. She loved him more then she let on, but it was clear she would marry him one day.
When she finished college she moved home. Everyone was so glad she was finally home. I was ecstatic she was home. And she was miserable. She missed him with every fiber of her being. She was home less than a year when she decided to move back to be with him.
Again, I missed her terribly. But she was happy. Happy to be with him again. So I was happy for her.
When he finished college they both moved back home, but it wasn't his home. He missed his family as she had missed hers, and they missed him too. Then they announced they were moving closer to his family. That night, I cried. Would she ever be home to stay? I missed her even more.
She was gone for nearly 2 years when she announced she was coming home to start a business. What a brave girl. What a smart lady. What an amazing woman.
She brought back talent and wisdom. She brought back hope and strength. And she brought back him.
2 years later they were married. I cried that night too. They reminded me of storybook love. They defined companionship. They made everyone jealous with their openness and honesty to love each other out loud.
Today I cried again for her and her husband and the beautiful son they created. He is so perfect. When I first held him, she looked at me and told me he was "perfect in every single way." I concur. I am overwhelmed with the pride I feel and the honor I have of being her sister. Congratulations Melissa and Peter.

Welcome baby. I love you more than I did yesterday, and less than I will tomorrow.