eleven.

today is my niece Kiara's eleventh birthday, which is incredibly hard to believe. I remember the day she was born like it was yesterday. I had just finished tennis practice at school and when I got in the car my Dad looked at me, smiled and said "you're an aunt". although technically I am her aunt I don't always feel comfortable being called one.

kiara and I don't have a normal aunt/niece relationship. she was born when I was just fifteen years old and we lived in the same house for most of her childhood. the same goes for my sister and brother. they also have a very fun, open, loving relationship with the type of closeness and camaraderie that you usually only share with siblings. we joke that we're sisters and respect each other and the relationship for what it is.

she was born during a very difficult time in all of our lives and really was a breath of fresh air. the amount of love and happiness she brought to our family was literally unimaginable. no one had any idea that this little baby would bring us all so much joy.

happy happy birthday to this creative old soul and one of the great loves of my life.

11 ♥

my dad and I.

of all of my siblings, I am the one that is the most like my dad. it creates an interesting dynamic in our relationship, but I don't think I would have it any other way. my Dad works so hard, loves us so much and I am so thankful for him.

my day.

my birthday was an extra special one because of this girl right here. tina. my 5 years younger little sister. she took it upon her self to travel the 376 miles to come home and surprise me for my birthday. although I was a bit suspicious as the events unfolded, in the end I was surprised. tina and I have always been very close. being the second and fourth born in the family we each played very different roles growing up, but I see things slowly starting to change as the years go by. this weekend she didn't play the role of a younger sister, she played the role of my sister and my friend. that is what I needed and that is what she did. celebrating birthdays just 8 days apart we are both quintessential geminis. kids at heart and forever restless we always have a good time. a day at the beach full of laughs and a bouquet of beautiful flowers are just two of the many things that made me smile this weekend. and that is just what I needed. to smile. I am so in love with my little sister.