My "sister"....

OK, so really, I have just one sibling.....a brother. I love my brother. He's become one of my closest friends over the years and he and I can laugh and share personal jokes that no one else would ever find quite as funny. But through the miracle of marriage (miracle?), I've gained something (or someone) that I've always wanted. A sister. Actually, two sisters. I just spent a little over a week with my sister-in-law Annie, so I thought I'd share a little about her. I will be seeing my sister-in-law Kristin next weekend and she'll be my next victim...er subject.

Eleven plus years ago, Bill and I got married and one person who was missing from our wedding was Bill's brother Keith. My brother-in-law Keith was part of a relay team for Calvin College and his relay team couldn't do without him that particular weekend. I had mixed feelings about this situation at the time. I have particularly strong feelings about running. (For more information check out my facebook status a few days ago). Well, that day, Keith went to that track meet and he met the woman who would become my very first sister, Annie. For that reason alone, him missing my wedding was completely worth it. I was no longer the only girl (besides my mother-in-law) in the all-boys club of the Van Goor household.

Annie and I have been mistaken as actual sisters. She's about the same height as I am, has curly hair, and well, we kind of look alike! We share a love of the Lord, family, outdoors, books, blogs, cooking and fitness to name a few. We have similar ideas about raising our children and what is important as a mom.

We also have a bunch of differences. Annie is more soft-spoken than I (not too hard to do, I know). She is a far more patient woman than I am. She separates her laundry (that one's for you Bill!). She is more adventurous in life than I am. Oh and here's a big one...she's one of the fastest women in the nation and loves to run!

I've learned so much about being a good Christian and a good mother from her. She sets the bar higher for me and is an example of who I'd like to emulate. Did I mention that she also made me an Aunt?! I was over the moon when I became an aunt and it takes every ounce of control not to totally freak out my niece and nephew who only see me once or twice a year and smother them with hugs and kisses.

Every time it's time for us to say, "Goodbye," I admit that I get choked up. She's become such a big part of my heart and I can't believe how blessed I am to have her in my life. I'm counting down the days till our trip out to Ohio in November so that I can spend time giggling with her, and connecting over things that are unique to us. I also look forward to the lessons that she teaches me and marvel over how much of a sister this girl, who I've only known for 10 years has become to me.