An e-mail to my sis

Hey Kels -

Just wanted to write and wish you a Happy Birthday. I can't believe you're 25. It's astonishing that we have both made it this far without one of us offing the other, don't you think?

It feels like yesterday when I was walking across the parking lot of the Vernon Jubilee Hospital holding dad's hand on the way to meet my new baby sister.


Even though I had wanted a little brother, my heart melted the instant I laid eyes on you. This little 7-pound bundle of cuteness stared back at me and I could hardly wait to get you home and put you in my doll stroller. It was love at first sight.

I remember you growing up. With every year, you became a larger pain in the ass, but you also became an increasingly important part of my life. And, while you've moved from chewing on sticks to chewing people out (only when necessary of course, right?), you are every bit as cute and quirky today as you were when you were three years old, standing in the middle of that puddle donning those snazzy little gumboots and your garbage bag rain coat.

Now, at 25, you carry a Coach purse, curl and coat your eyelashes to perfection every day and still use your charming smile to get you in--and out--of trouble.

I have seen you grow from the little puddle jumper that you were 22 years ago to one of the most beautiful people I know.

There are qualities in you that anyone would envy: your quick wit, your creative spirit, your feisty attitude...and don't even get me started on your ridiculously perfect hair.

In the past 18 months I have welcomed someone important into my life. Someone I didn't always have before. Someone whose value I haven't always appreciated. That someone is you.

More than ever, I am thankful I can call you my sister and my friend. I know sometimes you probably feel like some kind of crazy experiment, but I want you to know that as much as I try to teach you, I try to learn from you.

Kelsey D*wn, you have taught me a lot in the last year and a half and for that, I am grateful. Keep doing what you're doing and you will get where you're going.

Let me be one of the first to wish you the happiest of 25th birthdays.

I love you.