J9, a brief history.

It's a funny thing, my relationship with my sister Jeanine. The shift from animosity to unending love was massive. The extremes to and from which we swung were epic. Legendary, to be truthful. The only way they could be rivaled would be if Al Franken and Bill O'Reilly were to end their feud and become lovers, moving into a cottage in Vermont to live the rest of their lives sewing leather patches onto the elbows of each other's suits and discussing the beauty of the poetry of Lord Byron ("Stunning," said Franken. "I quite agree," replied O'Reilly). 

Growing up, we fought frequently. I knew exactly what I could do to annoy her, or even better, publicly embarrass her. Jeanine and I were the perfect age separation to become mortal enemies, 6 years. Kirk and Kahn? 6 years difference. Darth Vader defied the laws of logic and was somehow 6 years older than every jedi in the universe, thus making them mortal enemies. I did so much deliberately to annoy her, but deep down it was all stemming from the fact that I secretly admired and loved her. But that love didn't stop me from doing everything I could to drive her crazy. Yes, I loved her immensely, but that didn't stop the 11 year-old me from doing the worm shirtless in front of her date when he came to pick her up. 

I don't really remember when the shift truly began, but somehow the mutual seething hatred we felt was transformed into glorious adoration. She went off to college and I stayed at home. Maybe that is when I first realized that I missed having her around. When should would come home on weekends I'd actually be happy to see her. She started introducing me to things that would change my life. It was her who told me about The Royal Tenenbaums and introduced me to Wes Anderson. She literally saved my life - LITERALLY, NOT FIGURATIVELY - when she sat me down and had an intervention. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, she staged an intervention. She sat me down with an Elle and Vogue in hand and taught me all I was doing wrong and then schooled me in fashion and grooming. She took me shopping and helped me begin to develop my personal style. At the time I hated her for it, but I now look back with endless gratitude. 

When I moved to college we started calling each other and actually talking to one another. I realized that she was an interesting and wonderful person as well as being my sister. She was intelligent and funny, passionate and talented. I got to know her so much more, and it made me appreciate and love her all the more. When I moved home from college I started spending more time with her and her husband Sean. It got to the point where I would prefer spending a Friday night with them than out on the town. She became my BFF. When I came home from my mission she was my solid rock. She was one of my safe havens where I would be able to go when I wanted to disappear. 

She's now in St. Louis and I miss her like crazy. She's now a mommy and has the most beautiful little girl, and has another one on the way. I don't know how we changed from where we were to where we are, but I love it, and I love my J9!!!!

BFFs since birth.

Adorability level: Very high.

Now she's preggers, and not only is she a wonderful momma, she's so beautiful, too!