This weekend I got to celebrate my older sister’s engagement. While this was obviously a joyous celebration it was also bittersweet as we celebrated her move to Virginia. The past couple years have been filled with changes for my two sisters and me; my oldest sister getting married and starting a family, me going to Columbus to attend Capital, and now my sister starting a new chapter of her life in Virginia. These and other circumstances have created physical distance between the three of us, but our friendship has only grown and every time we all get to be together I realize more and more how thankful I am for them.

My sisters and I have been through a lot of difficult situations together. Divorce, cancer, tragedy, breakups and so many others, but no matter the problem my sisters have always been a strong support system. They have offered guidance and encouragement countless times as I faced new challenges and obstacles in life.

We have also walked through numerous joyous occasions together; weddings, births, engagements, graduations, vacations and the list could go on and on, but no matter what my sisters have always made me feel so loved as they have celebrated with me or allowed me to join in on celebrating them.

My sisters are patient, smart, loving, kind, courageous, compassionate, funny and extraordinarily beautiful inside and out. They are the two people I know I can trust with anything because they love and care for me so well despite all my flaws and mistakes I have made. They’ve been a shoulder to cry on, a laugh when I needed it, a hand to hold and most importantly they have been my best friends. They know how to make any situation better by turning it into a time filled with laughter and fun; it has been a joy to get to share so many memories and moments with them.

Growing up I never thought that my sisters and I would have as close of a friendship as we do now. People say, "you can’t choose your sisters, but you can choose your friends," and I am so thankful to be able to call my sisters my best friends. I know that life is filled with changes and unknowns, but I am filled with excitement as I think about the experiences I will get to share with my sisters and I have no doubt our bond will only continue to grow with time. Sarah and Katie, thanks for being the best older sisters. I love you guys more than words can express.