Bittersweet

It's a bittersweet Friday. Who doesn't love a Friday? I love Friday's. Today, however...not such a great Friday. Why? My brother is leaving tonight, opening the next chapter in his life and moving to Daytona, Fl.

It's bittersweet because he is-always has been-and will be my body guard. He's there with the quickness of a phone call. He listens...well, to most of what I have to say. He gives advice that is SO truthful it's sometimes shocking.

Now, let me tell you...it wasn't easy being a princess and growing up with a big brother.

It started with this bad note home the day I was born...

Note reads:
Date: 8-23-88
Michael has had 3 time outs today, He said he has been thinking about the baby.
6:55-throwing toys
9:10-throwing a chair
11:35-repeadedly not listening to teacher requests
We know you will talk with him. Thank You

He always got to play with the cool toys

He always caught the bigger fish

He always found more easter eggs

He ALWAYS picked on me

But then there were times when we couldn't live without each other!

Playin on the couch

Playin with the random animals we would find

Hangin out on the rainy days

We finally started to grow up and with that there was change, but trust me...not much!

Chillin/Navy Graduation

Hanging out on leave from the Navy

Teaching me how to grow up to be big and strong

Being there when I needed a smile

Coming over and being company after surgeries

Always taking me poolside

Together we bring chaos. We've hosted some of the best parties!

Halloween:

GTL:

Birthday:

New Years Eve:

But at the end of the day we're the same ol' same ol' Michael & Amanda.
We tend to look the same and act the same. We are ADD and ADHD. So much alike but yet so different.

Last night we had our last big family dinner for him before he left. We had all of his favorite things...steaks, fried green tomatoes, and pasta salad. After dinner he gave me and Brandon a letter. In it was words that made me sad, words that made me smile, words that made me feel safe, and words that made me laugh. My favorite thing was, "I would hijack a plane if it wasn't at flight if it meant getting home fast enough for you." And with that sentence it made everything ok.