Dear family and friends,
Today I just want to wish my precious sister a HAPPY BIRTHDAY! How in the world can she be 40? When did that happen? I'd like to share 40 memories to honor my Melly...
1. I'm trying to think of the very first memory I have of Melly. I certainly know the stories like how she pushed me down when I first started to walk so I'll just have to start off with that one. She's only been picking me up ever since...
2. Actually I think my first memory of my sister was a time in Galveston that she and my brother made me be Catwoman while playing Batman and Robin. We had no Robin as she was able to be Batgirl. I obviously had no idea who they were, yet I certainly understood the pecking order. I guess I should be grateful they didn't make me be Robin.
3. I remember waking her up when we first moved to Garland, as we were already in bed, and I needed help getting Teddy's arm through her little yellow checked coat. Melly was willing to help, but unfortunately busted her head on her headboard as she started to sit up.
4. I remember deciding to wait until I was married as my big sister said this was her plan with such confidence and conviction.
5. I remember her announcing that she would never answer to Missy in middle school, which was when I was instructed quite firmly to call her Melanee. Several years later is when "Melly" began as I didn't really want to call her Melanee. In my mind that's what her friends called her and they weren't very nice to me. Little ironic as I now have my own Melanee Kate flitting around my house daily.
6. I remember her leaving for college and feeling like a limb had been severed. I cried the whole night and remember being sad for about two weeks. Then I discovered being the only child was a beautiful thing. I wouldn't trade that time alone with Mom and Dad for the world. It makes me look very forward to the time we will have alone with Jefferson. I already tell him, "After we get rid of those first three, we're going to have a party, just you, me, and Daddy."
7. I remember Melly coming to every performance she could ever possibly make to hear me sing.
8. I remember sleeping in the sorority house in the twin bed the fall before I joined her and Royal in Aggieland. She loved me coming and staying with her. What a thrill to my heart to be wanted by my big sister. The other twin was empty as her roommate never slept there anyway. This is where the whole best friend blessing began to cement.
9. I remember Melly coming to my dorm room just because she had a little time on her hands in between classes.
10. I remember my sister holding me tightly when I had a ring on my finger although she'd just taken one off. The joy she had for me despite her own heartache still speaks to my heart.
11. I remember her telling me through the tears at my first bridal shower, with a sweet smile on her face, that she'd chosen the same china pattern. I was now the one receiving the china and she was working through the fact that God had something better in store. It was never a surprise when we showed up to the dressing room with similar items in our piles, it happened often. She has great taste! I now wish I had the china she received at her wedding.
12. I remember when she forgot to take Ed's wedding ring to the front of the church. My sister being my maid of honor was never a question in my heart. My mother's sister quickly fetched it after signals had been silently communicated. It brought comic relief to a bittersweet day for my Melly.
13. I remember the times she came to Lubbock, like a sweet breath of air, saving her money so she could come see us. We talked of hanging a shelf in the laundry room so she'd have a place of her own.
14. I remember leaving for New Jersey like it was yesterday. I'm sorry I don't have the picture to post, of right before we left. I'm sitting on the ottoman with my sister on the floor beside me, arms around each other, with pitiful faces. Limbs severed again, what a bittersweet day for me. Off to see the world with my man, yet leaving a part of my heart behind.
15. I remember putting streaks in our hair in New Jersey while Ed was TDY. You could hardly see them as we were so afraid of looking too wild. We had a wonderful time though.
16. I remember the roses Ken sent her while we were in D.C. visiting. We listened to one of his messages at least 503 times. He sounded fantastic. Ken Permann...the waiting was more than worth it.
17. I remember the day Melly was in our driveway with Ken right beside her with a ring on her hand. To this day, I've never heard so much lovey dovey talk in my whole life. The first of so many time the four of us would be together.
18. I remember missing her at my baby shower only to find out she'd really tried to come but at the last moment it hadn't worked out.
19. I remember the first time she held our first baby. Of course I couldn't forget it as she'd sent a precious frame to my baby shower with a note that it was just for this moment. Fourteen years later, I still love that picture and the frame, you'd think she was the new mama. I'm the scary one in the background with mascara to my toes.
20. I remember the doodle patrol.
21. I remember how she flew all the way to Philadelphia to fly with Caroline and I to Texas the week before her wedding. We played dolls all the way there, Caroline being the doll.
22. I remember how my Melly came the first three of four weekends of Wyatt's life. "CinderMelly" we called her this time. She did absolutely anything with a smile on her face and joy in her heart. Caroline rewarded her by saying her name for the first time. Just the beginning of how much our children would love their Aunt Melly.
23. I remember when my sister and mother flew our babies from Texas to North Carolina so the little ones didn't have to do the drive.
24. I remember when Aunt Melly met me half way to take Caroline and Wyatt for the week. I was barely back to D.C. when I realized I was horribly sick. I laid in bed for days, so grateful that my babies were being loved and cared for by the only woman in the world that looks like and sounds so much like their mother.
25. I remember when we both had babies in our tummies, it only happened once.
26. I remember when the call came, Kyle was on the way and Ken was in another state on a job interview. Kyleroo was so excited to see her Aunt Dinah that she decided to come early. In two hours flat I was out the door leaving Ed and three little ones behind. I don't know that I've ever felt so desperate to be by her side. (Actually, I can think of one. The year we lived in Montana all I wanted for Christmas was to see my sister. What a sweet Christmas present it was!)
27. I remember the sheer joy of watching Kyle and Melanee Kate. It brought indescribable joy to my heart. My favorite picture of these two as babies is of them in our double stroller sucking on each others pacifiers.
28. I remember my pregnant sister with baby in tow coming all the way to Italy to surprise me.
29. I remember spending the day in Venice while Brett was being born. I was so grateful to have something wonderful to do that day to make the time go faster. I could hardly wait to get home to call and hear the news.
30. I remember holding Ellis tightly while crying buckets of tears as I could hardly bear my sister had a five month old baby that I'd never held.
31. I remember the countless times that my sister flew to be with me...wherever we lived. She's been in every home we've ever lived in, minus Hawaii. We can hardly wait for her to see this one, it is our 11th.
32. I remember a million conversations about homeschooling. These still take place and I'm so grateful for the sounding board she has been for me in this area of my life! Her fantastic ideas and advice are paramount. I love to watch and learn. She's doing such a great job with her girls.
33. I remember not even believing that it was true, God was going to let us live close to one another.
34. I remember great joy and excitement as cousins were able to play together more than they ever had. Now I remember the struggles too, but I believe that we are only stronger for them!
35. I remember sharing the responsibilities for holiday meals for the first time in my married life. My Melly can set a beautiful table with scrumptious food. Her planning skills are excellent and worthy of my admiration.
36. I remember her willingness to wait for my last minute decisions as much as I try to be organized, I'm not as good at this as she is.
37. I remember the Diet Cokes she showed up with. I'm working hard to not drink them right now, but nothing tastes better than a Diet Coke with my sister or my mother.
38. I remember having the privilege of looking like my sister. I don't remember this being that big of deal growing up, but at A&M is where it really started. It only increased in D.C. the movers were very confused as they thought I'd changed clothes.
39. I remember her dropping everything when my packers came early, I would not have survived the day without her. Yet again, a servants heart that I so admire.
40. I remember the day she took us to the airport last February. It was my fault that we were in a little of a panic, but she was so gracious. I don't think there is anyone past my husband that it is harder to say goodbye to, although I've not really had to say goodbye to our children yet. A feeling of emptiness swept over me through the tears as I let go.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MELLY...I can't begin to thank you for all the memories, as these are really just a few. What an honor I have to be your little sister. I can't begin to express to you how much I love you. You are such an amazing woman and I love watching you year after year. Your steadfastness with the Lord blesses my heart. Thank you for being an example to me again and again as I watch you love Jesus, your husband, and three girls. I pray you have at least 40 more as there are so many more memories I want to make with you...
Love in Christ,
Dinah for The Troops
