The above song came out right around the time my sister and her (now) husband were planning their wedding. I think both my mom and I hoped that they would choose it as their wedding song, because it was just so “them.” Little did we know that they had another very special song in mind.
It seemed like such a magical time. She had asked me to be her maid of honor, much to my surprise and, er, honor. I mean really, it meant the world to me that she would ask me to be by her side as she married the man she loved most in the world. And although I didn’t know her soon-to-be husband in a very deep way, I was convinced that he would treat my sister right and even more convinced that he felt a deep, profound love for her.
Her wedding day that November was the happiest I had in years. It’s still probably in my top five happiest almost five years later. It didn’t matter that the guy I was dating at the time was a complete social reject or that my dress didn’t fit right or that my shoes were ill-advised. I choked up when I saw her walk down the aisle, barely stopping myself from full-on crying. I was teary-eyed throughout the ceremony, and really, had never experienced tears of joy before. I actually thought that was a made-up phenomenon.
After the wedding, there was a whirling limo ride through the city, with all the bridesmaids and groomsmen and the happy couple drinking beer that was actually made by my brother-in-law and his friends, and made to taste like champagne!
The reception was lovely, I made a little speech (that went rather well, I was told), and we danced away the night. I have never danced so much, ever, and don’t think I ever will again. I actually danced so much that I could barely walk the next day (darn those inadvisable shoes!). My sister and her husband were so clearly giddy and in love and happy. My heart warms thinking of it even now.
A car stood waiting to whisk my sister and her husband off to their hotel for the night, as my then-boyfriend helped me maneuver my tipsy parents off to the cars we drove. A wave goodbye, and they were gone, Mr. and Mrs. The only time I have ever been happier is holding my new nephew. More love and happiness brought to me by those two.
I love that my sister made me a part of that day, and that I have been able to see my nephew a few times since he was born. He is (I think) coming up on three months old now, and my sister has to go back to work. I probably won’t see him as often, but I plan on asking for some time off every now and again so I can go see my favorite little guy. Love and happiness reigns with my sister and that little baby, even through the crying and the tears and the up-all-nights. There is so much love. I couldn’t be happier.
Also perfect — the song that they DID choose for their wedding:
RosieSmrtiePants 
Poignantly written, mija. Listening to the heartbeat of each sister’s love for the other… I believe it’s one of the VERY few times in my life I feel a sense of loss of being an “only.”
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Thanks, Madre. There is that heartbeat of love, but there’s also a lot of angst, so you can look at it and thing “gee, I was spared that,”:like especially when you think about brothers or sisters like the Big Dawg had. Not every sisterhood or brotherhood is like the one me and sis share.
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It’s wonderful to have a sibling with whom you have a good relationship. My brother passed 5 years ago and I still miss him. Hang on to your family and love them well. They are part of you.
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Yes, you’re so right. I treasure what I have with my sister.
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