Christmas Wishes

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. The last few weeks have made me think about my mom's yearly Christmas wish when we were all kids. We would ask her every year what she wanted, hoping to get a great idea of something perfect to wrap up for her and put under the tree. Every year without fail she would say, "I just want the three of you to get along." We never gave this wish much thought. In fact, it usually annoyed me because I knew that was something I couldn't buy for her with the money I had saved in my piggy bank. Her wish was too big, too impossible, and would have cost more than anything else we bought her. If you had asked 8 year old me if there would ever be a day where I would be friends with my brothers, I would have scoffed at your question and given you a quick recap of the day's arguments (a very dramatic recap of course).

So much has changed over the years. We've all three gone through our own transformations, met our better halves, and created our own lives here in Raleigh. I know that we wouldn't be as happy and successful as we are today without the incredible guidance and support from our parents. They have selflessly loved and encouraged us every step of the way and I could never thank them enough for what they have given me.

That being said, I am honored and blessed to say that my mom is going to get her Christmas wish again this year and for many years to come. The three of us not only get along, we're friends. I am so thankful for both Matthew and Michael. I know that I can count on my brothers for anything and we enjoy hanging out together. When a crisis comes, we are there for each other. I am so proud of both of them and I am proud to be their sister.

So Merry Christmas Mom. This gift was a long time coming, but you never stopped believing that it would happen.