Sisters, Sisters, there were never more devoted sisters...

Today is a very special day for a very special sister of mine. Today is Meriel Holt Frandsen's birthday! I have written a few blog entrys about this amazing women so I won't go on and brag about how great of a sister she is to me. She knows I love her so much! But I will let you all read this essay that I wrote about her for my Senior essay in High School. I love ya Meems! You are the best! I hope you have such a great birthday!!! :)

Letting Go
I never expected this day to come so fast. If I was told at the beginning of the year that in six months I would be wearing a bridesmaid dress, sitting at a large round table with a vase full of red and yellow roses, I would not have believed it. I looked around at the faces of the groomsmen and my fellow bridesmaids, and my stomach began to tingle with nerves. I watched as each of them gave their toasts to the new couple. The microphone would soon be handed to me and I would have to perform for my sister, her new husband and all of the guests. I tuned out one of the grooms-men’s speech and turned my attention to my sister. She looked stunning in her white wedding dress lined with pearls and her hair done up. I knew that she had been waiting for this day her whole life. As for me, this was the day that I had been dreading. This was the day that I had to see my best friend and sister leave our family and start her own.
My attention was drawn back to the last bridesmaid who stood up and gave her advice to the bride and groom. Shaking my foot and spreading my uneaten mashed potatoes around on my plate, I waited until she was done with her speech. I hoped and prayed that somehow by singing this song to my sister, she would know how much she meant to me in all the years we grew up together. The microphone was handed over to me and before I knew it, the music began play. I was standing in front of more than 200 people. At the first measure of music, I began to feel a lump rise in my throat and my eyes begin to water. A voice in my head was telling me over and over, “do not cry.” I tried to avoid my sister’s eyes. If I was going to get through this song, I had to breathe. My lungs filled and emptied with air as I waited for the words to come out of my mouth.
As I sang the first line of my sister’s favorite love song, “Come What May,” I tired to focus my eyes on anyone but her. My stare fell upon my new brother in law who was sitting right next to her. I had to admit, he was perfect for my sister. A few years before, my sister and I made lists of what we wanted in a husband. Although we laughed about a few of the characteristics we chose, he fit each one perfectly. I knew that he would love her for eternity and support her in everything she did.
At that moment, I realized that I did not want to be anywhere else in the world but right there. In my gorgeous red satin dress, I was singing with all my love to the finest sister who helped me grow up the past 16 years. As the song came to an end, a bittersweet sadness came over me as I realized that I would never be able to share clothes with her again, or watch our favorite sitcoms together while sharing a large bowl of goldfish crackers. While it was heartbreaking to see my sister slip away from me, I knew she had never been happier than she was right then.
I finally turned my gaze towards her. Her face was stained with running mascara just as mine was. She got up from her chair and walked towards me with outstretched arms. Our embrace was instantly filled with sobs. Through my crying I heard a whisper in my ear. “I will always be there for you.” Her squeeze around me tightened and then I let go. She walked back to her new best friend. I was content with being replaced. I understood now that she would always be there for me. I was finally able to let go.