When your sibling marries, you either get a blessing or a curse of an in-law. For some out there, you might have some horror stories you could share. However, I do not. I am lucky enough to say that I got one pretty amazing sister-in-law.

I first had the privilege of meeting her about three years ago. I was living with some roommates who had free tickets to a basketball game. It was last minute, but I invited my brother up to come hang out. My brother told me he would be bringing a friend, meaning a girl. Meaning he liked her enough to drive two hours up for us all to hang out. So, I met her and she seemed nice. The game was loud, so aside from me spilling a soda dramatically, there was not a lot of conversation. However, my brother seemed relaxed and happy, therefore I was happy.

Flash forward some weeks later. After a lot of fishing for information about her, I learned her name, where she was from, etc. I also learned that my brother was seriously into this girl. This meant my “big sister” alarm was going off. I love my brother and I am protective of him. So, if he was into this girl, she better be the real deal, or she would be dealing with his sisters. Turns out, she was the real deal.

Again, flash forward and they are dating. They are ridiculously adorable and she is about to leave on a mission trip to Africa. Watching my brother mope for those few weeks was hard to watch. However, I knew something was up. My brother proposed to her after she returned. They married about six months after that.

So, how does this make her a blessing? Kelly, or “Rex” as she sometimes gets called, has done so much for our family. For the first time in a long time, I see my brother happy. It was not easy after our dad died. It still is not always easy. But from the moment my brother met Kelly, his life has been a whole lot brighter. Not a lot of things can make my brother light up like Kelly can. For that alone, I will eternally be grateful.

She has accepted my whole family as hers, which is not easy, given the fact that we are all a little loud. Our family is a lot of sass, and this 5-foot gal can dish it right back. She has no problem being herself around us.

She has the world’s biggest heart. If you need a shoulder to cry on, she is there. She is there to support you and offer advice. She has never once passed judgment (except for that one time she learned I could not swim). If you're a stranger to her, you will not be for long.

My sister-in-law is also an amazing mother. I have watched her carry two babies now and never once has she complained. She is a natural with her son Joey and I cannot wait to see her with her new daughter Jazz. I have rarely seen anyone so calm and patient trying to figure out the new mom thing and she does it with grace.

She also has this true connection with her faith that I admire. She is a true woman of God and is so strong. I admire her ability to keep faith in trying times. She is loving, kind, helping and patient. She sees the world as beautiful and gives her whole heart to her faith. Not everyone can be lucky enough to get someone so amazing as an in-law as her. So, as I am sitting here in a hospital room waiting for my niece to arrive, I can honestly say I am blessed enough to count Kelly as a sister and a friend.