I’m the youngest in my family. Normally, that wouldn’t be such a big deal…except that I’m the youngest out of all FIVE of my brothers and sisters. There are 18 years between myself and my oldest sibling. We’re all spread apart though – the first three arrived before 1974 – and then there was a nine year gap. My closest sister and I like to think the years 1983 and 1986 brought the most joy to the world, as that’s when we arrived. Although I still like to think that 1986 was the best year of all 🙂

My sister and I. “Christina and Melissa.” We were always referred to as a pair. I didn’t mind it so much except between the years of 1993 – 2000. Once I got to high school, however, my sister and I stuck together. We both ventured to a new high school. Away from everything familiar. Away from all of our friends who we had grown up with. We clung to each other that one year we were there together and we’ve been close ever since.

In 2006, I stood next to my sister as she walked down the aisle to a fabulous man. And in 2007, she stood next to me as I walked down the aisle to my wonderful husband. Although we live over an hour away from each other, we still tease each other via e-mail almost every day.

Like most sisters, we had our fair share of fighting, stealing each others clothes, and endless games of “I’m-not-touching-you” on car rides…but I wouldn’t trade those moments for anything. I was always the youngest one, but she was always the prettiest one. Here’s to you, sis!

Here’s where we started out… (Sorry Bean, I had to!) Christina – Left, Me – Right.

One of my favorites!

Christina got the blue eyes. I got the brown ones. The little turkey.

All pictures taken at St. Mary’s City Historic Waterfront in Southern Maryland.