Everyone Needs a Holly.

Holly is my Aunt. She is my mom's youngest (by nine years) sister. She is only 14 years older than me and we have been like pb&j since I was born. Well, except for that time when I was 2 and she got me in trouble b/c she could. I told her I would never let her live that one down.

Even before my mom died we were incredibly close and since her death we have only gotten closer. Holly has been a faithful visitor every place we've lived and faithful supporter of it all despite her obvious disdain at us moving away from her (I miss you too). 

Tomorrow, she arrives. The thing about visits with my Aunt are this: I become a kid again. It isn't like me, a 40 year old looking forward to a visit from her 50 something Aunt. Instead its me, a 40 year old transplanted back to being 15 or so and giddy with excitement that she's coming. Knowing that there will be fun impromptu shopping trips (not necessarily $ involved either), eating out, frozen yogurt, LOTS of girl talk and probably even a fight or two! Come on, we're girls, we annoy each other. It is absolutely the next best thing to having my mom with me. She comes with all her latest and greatest ideas about food or clothes or something in my house. She makes huge messes and I clean up after her and we have an absolute blast even if we're in our jammys most of the time she's here. 

She loves loves loves my kids and so for them its like having Grandma come to town. 

You can't talk too much to her before she's had her coffee but after that its hard to get her to shut up. See, two peas in a pod. 

Holly has walked every road of life I have traveled down and been there with advice and a shoulder to cry on more times than I can count. She is the one constant in my life and no matter what is going on I know I can pick up the phone and she'll be there with an open heart and mind. I know she loves me and my family unconditionally and am so thankful God gave her to me for an Aunt. They say you can pick your friends but you are stuck with your family. All I can say about that is: family or not, I would pick you, Holly because you are a wonderful woman!! I love you!