Letter #23 "A sister (OR COUSIN) is a little bit of childhood that can never be lost." ~Marion C. Garretty

Dear Taylor Perry,

Thank you. Thank you for being my best friend. I think of you as a sister. We have gone through so much together. Growing up is hard to do but, you made it so much better. I know this may sound cheesy but, I am who I am today because of you. Seriously, although you are younger, I looked up to you and still do. You were always so cool! I remember tagging along with you to your gymnastics practices. I’d watch in amazement and wish I could do that. Some days I’d go home and lay pillows all over the ground and try to do what you did during practice. I never quite got it though :) My imitation of your round-off-front-hand-spring was a somersault. Thank you for teaching me what hard work and dedication can accomplish. I soon realized that gymnastics and tennis was not my cup of tea but found drama and singing instead. I used what you taught me to excel my talents.

Thank you for being so gosh darn funny! I know I will always have a good time with you! We can always find something to laugh about! I think my favorite moment ever was up at the cabin. We were upstairs making songs up about everyone in our family. When I say we I meant YOU. You were so funny! “Marsha Marsha she has short hair, she walks around in her underwear. She says ‘Hello’ she says ‘Good bye’ …mumble incoherent sounds that rhyme with bye…” You even had props to go with your songs. I wish I could remember the rest of Grandpa’s song because his was my favorite. “Grandpa Grandpa, he’s such a man. He digs up rocks with soiling pans.” Thank you for making me laugh.

Even though we went our separate ways for college, you up north at Utah State and me…well, I’ve never really been in one place for very long, we have always stayed good friends. Thank you. It just goes to show that family really is forever! Thank you for writing me a letter while I was in China. I never thanked you for that. It came at a perfect time too. It was near the beginning and we had just returned to our school from vacation in Shanghai. I was stressed and completely broken. I was having zero luck with my kids and I missed my family like crazy. Our mail was always delivered to the guard station and every day I would walk a little slower than normal when I passed it, hoping there would be a letter for me. The day your letter came I was so excited I yelped and ran towards the guard who held my letter. Not realizing what the guard was seeing (a tall white chick running towards him screaming English), I grabbed the letter and opened it right there. Thank you for your encouragement and for helping me push forward.

I love you so much! Thank you for everything! Thank you for sticking to the LW Syndrome and making sure Calin was the right guy for me, you and the family :) Just so you know I have not forgotten our deal that I would not get pregnant until you were married. You have a little over 2 years to find Mr. Right! Better start now! I miss seeing you every Sunday. I love you and I hope that you are happy!