Wednesday, October 27, 2010

30 Day Challenge: Day 5: My Siblings



I am the youngest of three girls. And by youngest... I mean - YOUNGEST.

My sister Denise was born in December of 1965. 



My sister Diana was born in July 1966


Miss Amber Lane was born in August 1984


That my friends is a 17 year difference between me and my sibling closest in age. Can you say- SURPRISE! My mom was 7 months pregnant with me at my sister's high school graduation. I LOL at the thought!

Growing up it was kind of like having three mothers. Diana got married when I was 3 and Denise when I was 6 so they didn't really live with mom and I together ever with the exception of a year or so.

Diana:

 Diana always lived near by so she was the sister who picked me up to go shopping or have lunch. Who never missed a play or awards ceremony. For many, many years I didn't quite understand Diana. Her husband ; though he treats her well has never been too friendly with me so that prevented us from being closer in my younger days and I kind of resented her for that for a long time. Then one day she showed me one of her favorite pictures of us together- a picture I had never even seen:


This picture was taken at our grandparents house and Diana said she had just gotten up and ready for the day and was getting ready to make me my favorite breakfast: scrambled eggs. I instantly fell in love and some of my "childhood resentment" melted away. 

Personality wise I see now that a lot of my personality traits are very similar to hers. When it comes to style, and grooming, and organization,  

Diana's birthday- we were being hat ladies
and approach to projects.....



She was the cornerstone of all my Wedding DIYs. She let me use her basement as my workshop and it remained in turmoil for MONTHS! 

The result of weeks of work on centerpieces!



Diana has one son named Calvin: He's 13 plays the sax and guitar, loves old school comedy like Chris Farley, Adam Sandler, etc. 

Calvin in 2001:


Diana's Family Mother's Day 2010:



Our wedding day portrait

Denise:

Denise and I were always close even though she lived away for the better part of the first 19 years of my life. First Tennessee, then Virginia, Indianapolis, Tennessee again, Florida and now finally back home in Ohio. Because of her distance away when I would visit her, they would be extended visits. Whole summers, spring breaks etc. This helped reinforce our closeness. Her husband David is also one of those awesome father figures I mentioned in yesterday's post. Denise is the wife a music minister in the church of God and the two of them have been my "spiritual guides". Our relationship has always been more mother/daughter than that of sisters (at least until recently) and I've appreciated that.

Denise and I Christmas 1987


Thats what sisters are for...1 to hold the dress and 1 to hold the camera lol


Our Wedding Day Portrait

Denise also has 1 son named Devin: He's 15 and an awesome musician; singing,guitar, mandolin, saxaphone, piano - the kid is gifted. He's also an avid skateboarder.

Devin and his Aunt Amber in 1995 x 2

(In case you ever wondered about the Cuban heritage of mine that I talk about- this pics from my younger days prove it lol)



Denise's family (2006 maybe)

Both Nephews in June 2010 - They've grown up so fast! ) ; Sniff

So, well its not "traditional" to have sisters so much older than you with no one else in between- its worked out pretty well for me! 

Awesomely enough  my wedding actually helped bring us closer by getting us together for project nights, showers, and pre-wedding slumber party with just the three of us: 
One of my fave moments before the wedding was when they handed me a gift bag with a picture frame that read:

Together Through it All....


Which evoked this reaction from me.....

I didn't actually cry...yet. No the only thing that actually made me cry was when my 15 year old nephew got up to do his reading and balled through the whole thing. THAT was a heart melter.

Anyhow I could go on and on about my awesome sisters and the awesome nephews that they have provided me with but this post is getting long enough. 

Instead I'll leave you with a few more photos: Enjoy!

Ready for the wedding!
The picture in the earlier mentioned frame

Sassy girls

rehearsal

Bachelorette Party Down Town


Graeters Ice Cream





Much Love Always!

Miss Amber Lane

2 comments:

Just Jinny said...

Sisters/Mothers..I know that feeling except I was the sister/mother and my sister was the sister/baby.

I have found that the whole mother/child vibe goes away the older we get. We are really good friends now.

Christy said...

I can relate. My oldest brother, who is the sibling I am closest with, is 13 years older than me.
Awesome that you have such a great relationship with your sisters!