happy happy birthday, sister dear!

Dearly beloved sister-o'-mine, 

Happy birthday, my love! I can't believe it's already time for another "Cassidy's Birthday" blog (the only thing I consistently post, alas - see the last two here and here). I'm a little appalled at how long it's been since we've talked, and I'm looking forward to calling you today. 

 Like so many of our pictures, you look fabulous and I look smooshed. 

For the rest of you, here are a few facts about my sister. Fact 1: She's smokin' hot. 

Just hanging out, looking great. It's how she rolls. 

Fact 2: She is a wonderful sister.

Believe it or not, the people in the above picture are actually related.

Fact 3: Like the most badass woman in the world (our grandmother, pictured below), my sister is also wicked smaht, talented, spiritual, and exceptionally fashionable. 

Fact. 

Fact 4: I love her tons. 

Happy birthday, my dear! I wish I could be there to celebrate with you, but I know you'll have a good time.

Love always,

Ay-ee*

*When we were little Cassidy couldn't say my name. It was delightful. She has remained delightful ever since.

sistah sistah

Bestest favoritest sister friends

Dear Cassidy,

So you're 21. Um, yikes.

Cassidy plus dolphin... when we were little she was obsessed with Keiko the orca

No, seriously. It's kind of freaking me out. Remember last year, when you turned 20? I was kind of weirded out then, but this is weirder.

All the cool people in this picture are wearing sun glasses

I think this is the part where I talk about how super proud of you I am, how smart and fabulous you are.

Cassidy with Grammy, another smart and fabulous woman.

And it's true: you are smart and fabulous and I'm super-duper proud of you.

Yow!!

I also miss your pretty face, like, an awful awful lot. I wish I could be with you on your birthday. I'd take you out to eat and probably embarrass you at some point. That's how we roll.

Cassidy with cousin Afton (or, as we like to call her around here, mini-Katie)

Anyway, lady lady, I just wanted to wish you a happy birthday in a public fashion. You're kind of the best.

Bringing sexy back since 1989

Happy birthday, sweet sister of mine.

Love you lots and lots,

Haylie

dear sweet sister

Dear Cassidy,

You are 20 today. As you like to say: "Oh, my" (you know that today is your birthday, of course, but not everyone does so I included it at the beginning of this letter as a helpful bit of exposition).

Happy birthday, dear sweet sister. I am so exceedingly proud of you. On your blog you wrote about all the lessons you've learned this year. I just wanted to tell you that it shows. I am so proud of you for going back to school and for loving it so much, and I urge you to STICK WITH IT! You're going places, baby (I feel like that's something Aunt Bevan might say. Whenever I give advice I try to sound like Aunt Bevan).

I also wanted to thank you for all that you did for Ross and me--especially for me--in the weeks leading up to our wedding. Our wedding absolutely, positively, indisputably could NOT have happened without you. Also, I might have died. Seriously, sister, you worked tirelessly in helping us plan, in running errands for me when I was sick, and in decorating our apartment (which looks fabulous, thanks to you). You remember this picture?

You look beautiful and I look like I'm dying. But I love it because it reminds me of all that you did for us that week.

I just love you to pieces, little sister. Through all that we've been through you've always been there. Thanks for always calling. Thanks for asking me for advice sometimes (I'll still write the introductions to your papers if you want). Thanks for getting along so well with Ross. And mostly thanks for being your irrepressible, spunky, hilarious, loving, surprising self.

Last thing: I know you don't like this picture,

but it's my favorite one ever of us. Thanks for everything, chica. Love you so much.

Happy Birthday Cassidy!