A nostalgic reunion

Once upon a time, in the 1960's, there was a Girl born to a family with a 6-year-old daughter. The family was doing well, and when the girl was 6 months old, her parents learned there would be another baby. Lo and behold, 9 months later there was a third girl born: Little Sis.

Young Girl and Little Sis grew up together. Like Irish twins, they dressed alike, received matching gifts at Christmas, rode bikes together, shared a room, and played with each others' friends. Girl and Little Sis had very different personalities, with Girl being more cautious and quiet, and Little Sis more outgoing and adventuresome. They fought and stole each others' clothes (ahem, well, one was the regular "borrower"). But they were sisters, through thick and thin, and stood by each other no matter what.

When Girl went to college, she was away from Little Sis for the first time, and that was a rough adjustment. But then, the next year, Little Sis went away to the same college. Eventually they were next-door neighbors in their dorm, where they could share friends and clothes once again .

Little Sis decided she'd go to graduate school Out West, and the Girl felt as though a piece of her heart was moving away, too. But they visited often in the early days, so the bond remained strong. When Little Sis continued with her studies after grad school, she took a 2-year position Down Under. Clear on the other side of the globe. The Girl was so sad to see Little Sis leave, and with plans to buy a house, the Girl couldn't swing the air fare to fly Down Under.

Eventually, Little Sis moved back to the states, and returned to her home Out West. She married, and then the Girl married. Both had children, and their lives changed significantly. Jobs. No jobs. Obligations. Money. No money. The visits between East and Out West grew to be less and less frequent.

And then, it got to the point where the Girl hadn't seen Little Sis for a full year and a half. And Little Sis's family planned a trip "back East," as they say. So the Girl scrambled to become a part of as much of Little Sis's northeast tour as possible.

The Girl and her little guy hopped in the car and drove 450 miles, to join Little Sis and her kiddos at one of their childhood vacation spots, Down The Shore. And it was a grand reunion. The little guy got to spend time with his Colorado cousins, and the sisters got to spend time together, sharing their old stomping grounds with their kids. There was salt water taffy, the boardwalk, a surrey ride, sandcastles, kiddie rides, ice cream, a swimming pool, fresh-squeezed lemonade, and of course the ocean.

And all of this made the Girl very, very happy!

Comments

[Suzanne]

Hey, I know that custard stand! I hope that you found a nice place to stay.

It sounds like a great vacation, and a happy reunion with your sister!

[nat]

Down the shore! I loved going there as a kid! I have not been there in quite some time, and I hope to remedy that!

And it's good to know The Girl is very happy! :-)

[Sarcasmom]

I'm glad to hear it. It sounds like it was a great visit,

[Melody]

Wow. What a great post Marie!! I'm happy that you got to have a catch up with your loved sister. I love mine too, yet we are on opposite sides of the globe. :-(

[Jody]

Enjoy your time together!

[Kristi]

Aw, great post! I know that sisterhood bond very well, and the distance between us sucks too. Glad you had a wonderful time.

[collegeroomie]

Glad you got to hang out with Lil Sis and the Lil Sis-ettes. Hope they are all doing well. My sister was just here with her two for two weeks. It was great to see them, and so hard to see them go - I'm sure it was the same for you.

[raehan]

That's so beautiful. So bittersweet. I'm so happy you could see her, but sad because, like me, you live away from your sister.