Transition

"We will live next door to each other." It wasn't exactly a promise, more of an assumption. It just made sense, it was supposed to be that way. So we didn't make an official plan, but we hoped. As we grew up, I guess I figured we might not live next door, but at least near by.
"Our kids will be close in age. We will sit on a porch swing and watch them get into all kinds of trouble like we did."
Well , not all of our plans are working out. Life happened. And things that we thought would didn't.

My sister is moving to Arizona. My best friend. I know, I know. It's not that far. We might be moving too. This shouldn't be that big of a deal. But try telling that to the huge lump in the back of my throat.
I have four older sisters, and while they are all wonderful in their own ways, there is just always been something about Lisa. Something about the sister who taught me how to shave my legs, and would drive me anywhere at anytime.The sister who would fast forward to then end of "I Still Know What You Did Last Summer" so that I could make sure (spoiler alert) Freddy Prince Jr. didn't die before I would watch the whole movie.

Lisa, I feel like you have been sharing your kids with us until we have our own. Last time you left them here Gracie kept calling me "mommy Jessica" we are really going to miss them. Soccer games, dance recitals,  and the everyday kind of stuff.
 I am dreading the  first time I am at family thing and all those sisters we have ( you know, the ones that live in the same city, have kids the same age that go to the same school and play on the same teams) start talking about teachers and coaches and people I don't know. I'll look for you out of habit and you won't be there.
I will bawl my eyes out when we pack you up and send you on your way. But I know I will see that spark in your eyes, because you have always been hungry for adventure. It doesn't surprise me at all that you are the first one of us to venture out on your own. You have always been brave like that.
Life rarely goes the way we plan. Fighting it doesn't work, so instead, we transition. We talk on the phone, a lot, and I mean a lot a lot.  I start looking forward to when I can brag to friends in the dead of winter that I will be going to see my sister in Arizona. We focus on how exciting it will be when you come back for Christmas, and I will teach your kids how to build forts in the snow they don't get to play in at home. Before you know it we will be used to the distance. At least that is what I will be telling myself. I feel pretty lucky I have a sister that I will miss this much.
Life rarely goes the way we planned,  but it usually goes much better.

We will make the most of these last couple weeks! Get ready for some awesome late nights and packing parties.
In our family we don't say this enough, in fact we hardly ever say it, but I love you Lisa. You are a wonderful sister and friend. Make sure you have enough floor space in your new place for us to come crash.