This past weekend my boyfriend and I had plans to attend a wedding in Dripping Springs, Texas, a quaint little country town just west of Austin. And it just so happens that my older sister (by two and a half years) lives in West Austin. I was already excited about the wedding but I became even more excited when I realized that we could potentially spend the weekend with my sister (Heather) and her boyfriend (who live in a ridiculously massive home for just the two of them, by the way).

We arrived in Austin on Thursday and were immediately welcomed with hugs, smiles, beers and cigars (because why not?). Typing that sentence reminds me of high school when I was a freshman and Heather was a junior and I walked into the “upper classmen hallway” and Heather greeted me with something along the lines of “please leave this hallway now…you are NOT cool and it is NOT ok for you to be here!” Man, times have changed…but at least I remember her saying please.

The next night as Jared and I were getting ready for the wedding I was worried that the outdoor wedding may become slightly chilly once the sun set. I brought one of my favorite dresses but unfortunately it’s not made for warmth. Without hesitation Heather came to my rescue and handed me a perfect sweater to go with the dress, just in case. Typing that sentence reminds me of when I purchased a dress specifically for a graduation party. Heather came home from college that weekend and WORE THE DRESS TO A PARTY BEFORE I EVEN GOT TO WEAR IT! Ok, if you have sisters I hope you are shaking your head at the events that happened that night years ago.

Finally on Saturday, Heather and I got to have a little girls’ afternoon that consisted of skinny Mexican martinis, a little grocery shopping for our upcoming crawfish boil and then the lovely prep work for the crawfish boil. During the entire afternoon we laughed, we talked about the guys we love, upcoming trips we could potentially take, the idea of one day all four of us finally living in the same city and so much more. She knew what needed to be done before everyone came over for the party so she directed and I did as I was told. Who knew I’d ever be ok with taking direction from my older sister.

I’m not sure if this is strictly a post-grad revelation about our relationship, but I can tell that this relationship has only gotten better with time. After high school we were closer, during college we visited each other in our respective cities and partied together and now that college is over we are able to combine our lives and the people in them to make a wonderfully memorable weekend.

To Heather: thanks for knowing when I just need ears to listen to me complain, for knowing when I actually need your opinion and knowing when I just need you there. And thanks for another great weekend!

Jared, Stoli, Chris and Heather at Uncle Billy's in Austin

Heather and I enjoying some beer and crawfish!