My BFF: Katie

This is my little sister.

Kathryn Elaine.

For thirteen years Katie was the baby of our family.

I nicknamed her "Squirt" and drug her around like she was my baby doll.

She was my little buddy.

I was so proud of her.

Every morning I would do her hair.

She had carrot orange hair.

Really, CARROT orange.

Sometimes I would braid it around her head into a crown.

Or twist it real tight into an "Oksana Baiul" bun.

Katie's a homebody.

Mom used to have to bribe her with money so she would go to school.

Sometimes it still didn't work.

Katie's most comfortable with the familiar.

Big crowds overwhelm her.

As do new situations.

She's far more timid than any of my other siblings!

Katie keeps us grounded.

She's pleasantly reserved.

And confidential.

She doesn't like to be the center of attention.

Or the center of conversation.

Katie is also very accepting of others.

She doesn't judge.

And, I seldom hear her speak ill of anyone.

Katie's going to school to be an English teacher.

English is her strong suit.

She loves to read.

And she can write a term paper in one night.

Sometimes Katie will send me a text that says,

Check your blog. It should say "their" instead of "there"!

Katie always smells good.

And she's fashionable.

And beautiful.

She can make cut-off sweat pants and a baseball cap look good.

Whenever Brynlee accessorizes with a necklace or a head band she says,

"Do I look beautiful like Aunt Katie?"

Katie lived with us for three summers in a row.

She's one of us.

We refer to the guest bedroom upstairs as "Kate's room".

I don't clean-up my house before she comes over.

Or feel like I have to make a fancy meal.

Or any meal.

If she's hungry she helps herself.

She comes over at least once a week for TV night.

We watch "our" shows: American Idol & The Biggest Loser.

Katie gets to be in charge of the remote for "The Biggest Loser".

And I'm in charge for "American Idol".

Katie fast-forwards any part of the show that she thinks is boring.

Drives me nuts!

Kate's the only person that's ever babysat my kids.

My kids love their Aunt Katie.

Katie's loving.

Intelligent.

Bashful.

Yet, charming.

I'm so glad she's my little sister.

When I grow up, I want to be as fashionable as Katie.

Katie in one word...

Adorable.

I love you Katie.

Thanks for being you!