A Tale of Two Sissies: Part 1

Deciding on who to have by our sides on the big day was relatively easy. In the early days, we considered just having 2 folks stand up with us on either side, to keep things simple. But as time went on, we realized that having family surround us was very important, too. Ultimately we decided to include all our siblings (5 combined), and a few dear friends that we now count as family, without whom the day wouldn't be the same. In total, we've got 4 on each side. The hardest part, actually, was deciding how to invite them to be a part of Team Wedding.

Now, I'm not an especially crafty gal. I'm no artist. I can conceive of crafty ideas, but the execution is where I falter. But, for this occassion, I felt it necessary to push my limits and attempt a handmade keepsake invitation of sorts for at least the top 2 positions on my side: The Matron of Honor and Best Lady.

Today, I'd like to introduce you to my very own MOH - big sister Dawn.

(BIL Wayne, Niece Candace, and Dawn)

Dawn is an amazing sister. She's all the things a big sister should be: we have fun together, we share secrets and dreams, and we love eachother very much. But what makes my relationship with Dawn so unique is that I've only known her for 7 years.

When my mom was 19, and long before she new my father, she was with a fella and found her self in the complicated predicament of unexpected pregancy. At the time, abortion was not only illegal, but unsafe, and my mom had a heart to give up the baby for adoption instead. She told her family that she was staying with a friend in Texas for a few months, but in reality moved just one town away from home, to keep the pregnancy a secret. Awhile after she gave up the baby, she and her boyfriend became engaged and later split, and over time my mom moved on, met my dad, married and had my brother and me. My dad has a daughter from a previous marriage, my wonderful sister Kim. I felt so lucky to have a brother and a sister whom I loved very much.

Cut to Spring Break 7 years ago. I came home from grad school and that night my mom asked my brother and I to sit in the living room... she had something to tell us. I was nervous, because she seemed so nervous. Even before she started talking, she was crying. Immediately, I thought that she was dying... had cancer... or something awful. So when she explained that she had a daughter, I was nothing else but relieved. Then the relief turned into excitement.

Apparently my mom had received a letter from her long-lost daughter... who was reaching out to seek information on our family history. She is a cancer survivor (ovarian), and wanted to know what else to expect, for the sake of her two children. My parents met with her, and were surprised and delighted to find my sister to be a kind, honest and lovely woman who lived only 40 minutes away from us. So, they arranged a meeting, and we all had dinner. It was so hard not to just stare and stare at her - she looked so much like my mother and me! She was a little shy, but incredibly open, kind, gracious and fascinating. Since then, our families have become one, Dawn and I have grown very close, and we've all lived happily ever after.

My mother is one of the bravest people I know. I can't imagine what it must have been like to go through what she did, at such a young age. I understand why she kept it a secret from us kids all those years - what good would it have done any of us to know there was a mystery sister out there, if we couldn't know her? I'm so grateful for her bravery, so that today I have a sister that means just as much to me as the siblings I've known for my whole life.

I chose Dawn to be my Matron of Honor because she's the most level-headed person I know. Her unselfish, thoughtful and organized nature make her a perfect selection to be 2nd in command on the big day - to calm any storms that may erupt and provide a strong sense of support to everyone. Plus, she's insanely fun and knows how to party!


So there you have it: a tale of two sissies, with a very happy ending.


Up next: How I asked her to be my Matron of Honor (oh, the DIY horror!)