When my brother was in high school, he ended a very long term relationship with the girl, who had been his first love. Like a typical teen boy, he started dating several girls over the course of a short time. As I was away at college, and none of these girls stayed around long, I didn't pay much attention. My mom had some concerns (her middle name is actually Worry), but I thought it was pretty normal.
I was home for a school break, and noticed a little bit about what my mom was worried about. My brother was not in a good place still. I understood. As a result, I did my sisterly duty and paid absolutely no attention to any of the girls that would show up at the house. ...and by that I mean, I was rude.
Then I was leaving to go out with friends and noticed there was a Tempo in the driveway. A girl that drove herself? Maybe she didn't care about the red Mustang my brother drove. Then I saw her, tall and blonde. I rolled my eyes and left.
Over the course of the next decade, she would prove me wrong. She would treat my oldest niece like her own daughter, she would drive the kids to Alliance for a family funeral, which my brother could not attend, when she wouldn't know anyone, she would put up with my brother, and my mother. Those are not easy tasks...
She's been there for me during mother doubts and marital challenges. Literally, sometimes arriving 5 minutes later to my house. She carried my dog when I could no longer pick him up, she was there when we had put put him to sleep.
As a little girl, I would sometimes pretend I had a long last sister, who I would find and then confront my parents. (This would at times mean painting my brother's nails...). I guess I just never knew that I would eventually have a sister, my brother just needed to find her.
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