Wedding post #3 - Maid of Honor's speech

This is why I told my kids everyday..."You're best friends. Treat each other like it. Every other friend is temporary, but you will always be sisters." #thankful

When Lauren was almost two years old, she was blessed with a sweet, loving little sister… me. Almost two years ago, we were blessed with another addition to the family, although we didn’t know it at the time.

Lauren and I have been making memories together pretty much since I was born and we became automatic roommates for the next sixteen years of our lives. Whether it was talking late into the night on Mockingbird Lane or passing notes through the cracks in our bunk beds… or putting on concerts for our parents in the living room or fighting over the front seat (which I always let her have because I was afraid of her). These memories will always hold a special place in my heart.

One of my greatest memories, however, didn’t happen in our old house on Mockingbird Lane or even in Arkansas for that matter, but in Oklahoma last summer when we both got the opportunity to work for the summer at Falls Creek. Lauren had worked there the summer before and played a significant role in getting me hired.

When we started that summer I was only known as “Lauren’s little sister” or for a few very confused people “Lauren’s twin sister” (although I still don’t see it). At first that identification was very challenging for me. But then I realized that there is no one else I would rather be compared to than Lauren.

LAUREN IS loyal, works harder than anyone I know, and dedicated to whatever she puts her mind to, and in the end, she will probably be the best at whatever it is. She is feisty, fun, yet selfless. She leads by example, and is the first to pitch in when she sees a need. She sees potential in everyone, and she’s not afraid to stand up for what she believes in.

THANK YOU, LAUREN for being my best friend when I had none and for letting me tag along with your friends all the way through high school. Thanks for being my shoulder to cry on when I felt alone and for letting me rant to you when nothing seemed to be going right. Thank you for telling me when my outfit didn’t match and still claiming me when I wore it in public anyway. Thank you for being a big sister to my friends who don’t have one, and for setting the bar high for me on the soccer field and the classroom. Thank you for defending me in the locker room in P.E. and for always picking me to be on your team, even though we all know I didn’t get the same athletic gene you got.

IAN, I knew you were someone special when she got absolutely giddy when you sent me a friend request on Facebook two years ago. Lauren simply does not get giddy. Thank you for pursuing my sister and loving her relentlessly. I have loved third wheeling with you two.

TO LAUREN AND IAN, thank you for setting a Christ-like example for me in your relationship. Thank you for putting the Lord first in your relationship with each other and the decisions you make. Thank you for honoring each other and may the Lord honor your marriage in the many years to come. Congratulations, Lauren. And Ian.. welcome to the greatest family in the world.