For Tonya- Belated

*This was written three days ago, but I'm unfortunately only getting wifi access today. Same amount of love applies*

          I am one lucky girl. For so, so, so many reasons. I spent a lot of time thinking about how blessed I am. Especially in the past two weeks. Especially today. You see, the phrase “Friends you choose, family you are stuck with”  doesn’t really apply to me. I have a HUGE extended family. With a father who had eleven siblings, my mother who had one.. i have enough cousins to create a small army. Or our own country of very tiny people. My parents kept it relatively small (no pun intended). I have two brothers and an adopted sister.  Aside from all this blood family, I have MORE family who aren't even really related to me but to who I have created a bond just as strong. (Shout out to Grillbillies and my Gallagher loved ones). Of all of these, I have only one sibling I grew up with. Ask any friends I have down here- and they’ll be able to tell you all about my brother, Erin.  Who I’m pretty sure I talk about incessantly. I’m so very, very blessed to count him as a friend. But it gets better. 

      You see, this year he went and married this incredible woman. She is smart, and funny. She is bold, strong, and stoic, (but also a little afraid of birds). Small in stature, but mighty in spirit she embodies all that I aspire to be. She is the kind of woman who lights up a room and isn’t even aware that it was her. With a voice that has brought many a grown man to tears, and a heart that is so large it spans an ocean and back. My brother, who I have looked up to my whole life, unknowingly gave me the best Christmas present I could ever want. A beautiful, crazy, incredible sister. Who loans me earrings, and gets me drunk. Who cannot do laundry- but can cook the pants off of me any day. With grace and courage she has changed her world, for herself, her son, and the man she loves. Literally going to the end of the earth. For love. Today, is her birthday. I didn’t get her a gift, because I’m a shmuck. But I did write her a tribute. Which counts for something right? My little southern sister. How I adore you. No amount of words on a page could ever do it justice. Tonya- on this your- uh...(lets just leave it at birthday shall we...) On this, the anniversary of the day the world was graced with your spirit, I wish you joy. May the rest of your days be not what you expected, but what you never thought to dream of. I love you. Always.