A Little Girl Time

I'm so fortunate to have so many special people in my life.  My siblings, my parents, Ryan...but this post is about someone who has touched my life is more ways than I can count.

Ryan's older sister Jennifer.

Jen and I have always been close, since Ryan and I started dating.  I remember the first time I met her and her fiance (Mart) on the deck in Hawkesbury, and we had matching bathing suits.

Over the past 5 years, we've laughed till we cried, cried till we laughed, experienced highs & lows, been each other's "Secret Santa's" more than once (trade'sies!), and when something really exciting or great happens to me, I call Ryan - Mom - Jen.

I was the EM'cee at her wedding, was there a few hours after her 1st little miracle was born, she was the first person I spoke to when I was having isssues with someone in my family, she believed in me when I was applying for jobs before finding my niche at Boston Pizza, she was the first person (after Ryan) I called when I learned in the same day that I had H1N1 and that my Dad was diagnosed with Cancer, she sent my Mom flowers when she had a heart attack, and she is always the person I know who will be as excited for me about something as I am.

Jen and I (and Jen's near-10 month old daughter) went to do some girly shopping yesterday in Montreal.  Such a fun day with lots of laughter and one of the sweetest comments I've ever received.

"You're already my sister".

And then comes the tears in my eyes, and the feeling in my heart that reminds me that I'm more than Ryan's girlfriend, and Jen is more to me than Ryan's sister.  She's my best friend.  She knows more about me than most friends I've had for a lifetime.  She's inspiring, caring, an amazing mother to her kids, hilariously funny, and I am so fortunate to have her in my life.  (which seems to be a tag line on all of our cards to each other).

There's something about a little girl time, even if it's a quick day trip shopping to re-energize, and realize that life isn't always easy, but when you have a friend as wonderful as Jen, that you can get through everything in life.

Love you Jen xoxo