Meet the Wedding Party - Maid of Honor Edition

It is difficult to follow such a moving and personal tribute to Justin's best man, his brother Christopher. I was struck, as I am sure many of you were, by the bond that they share -- it is a bond that reminds me a great deal of my relationship with my sister, who is my maid of honor.

I, like Justin, wanted a younger sibling desperately. I cannot explain the excitement and the anticipation I felt when I found out I would have a baby sister. I remember clearly the night she was born -- July 31, 1988 -- my parents took me to my grandparents' house on the way to the hospital, and I tried to stay awake as long as possible (I think I might have made it to midnight -- a true feat for a five year old), awaiting the news of my sister's birth.

From that moment on, my sister and I were inseparable. I always tried to take care of her, look out for her, and teach her everything I knew about life. Specifically, I remember trying to teach an impatient two year old the alphabet because I wanted her to be able to know it before she started school (a full three years later). Molly went through a very difficult and painful period of teething, which was punctuated by lots of biting, including one unfortunate incident that involved my nose (I still don't think it quite ever looked the same...)

I feel so fortunate to have both and sister and a best friend in Molly. She is someone that I truly admire because of her strength, tenacity, confidence, perseverance, immense talent, sense of humor, and fashion sense (I must admit, I raided her closet quite frequently growing up). We share an affinity for many things, including watching (and re-watching) Gilmore Girls, quoting Talledega Nights at inopportune moments, traveling, H&M, politics, coffee, staying up all night talking and laughing, and awkward turtles.

One of my favorite memories I have with my sister is a trip we took together to New York City shortly after she graduated from high school. It was incredible to see Rent together, listen to music at the Virgin Megastore in Times Square, see "Starry Night" at the MOMA, make random friends in Bloomingdale's, and attaining an unparalleled sugar high from sharing an iced hot chocolate at Serendipity. My sister and I share a flair for the dramatic (she is a theater major at Southwestern), so of course our re-makes of iconic Hollywood movies like An Affair to Remember and Sleepless in Seattle (both filmed on location at the Empire State Building) were priceless.

Because of all the incredible memories we've shared, I am so honored and grateful that Molly will be by my side as my maid of honor to help celebrate my future with Justin.