Dear Sarah,

By the time you read this, you’ll be married for approximately five days. Which is nuts, because it feels like just yesterday I was yelling at you to “GET YOUR BUTT IN THE CAR OR SO HELP ME I WILL LEAVE YOU I DO NOT CARE IF YOU HAVE A TEST TODAY”. Or something like that. You were late every. single. day. so there are variations of that sentiment.

Anyway, you were not late today. Not once. Weddings typically run late because of the bride, but you showed up for every second of your wedding day. You were prepared, and you did not falter. You were not nervous, you did not get upset if anything went wrong, and I wish I could be more like you.

You have so much faith in your marriage with Cody. No matter what happens, no matter how angry you may be with him, your love never changes. Not many people are like that.

You’ve been like that your entire life. You love so fully and so strongly. I am honestly so sorry for the millions of people who don’t know how it feels to be loved by someone who gives of themselves so freely, and expects nothing in return. I am so proud and so blessed to be your sister.

Your wedding day was absolutely stunning. From your custom gown, made from our mother’s wedding gown (minus that giant bow) to your vows, written perfectly for each other. I cried the whole day.

I am so proud of the woman you have become. Sarah, you are the best person I know. Although I’m your older sister and I’m supposed to be the one teaching you, you have taught me so much more. You have taught me how to love unconditionally, how to be humble, how to work hard and how to smile through anything. You are truly exceptional, and you inspire me every single day.

I am so grateful for this season that we are in together. We planned our weddings together and got married four months apart (sorry Mom and Dad), we work on neighboring units, we have lunch together most days and we carpool as often as we can. I love that I get to be the one who hears about your day on the way home, and I love that I am lucky to be the one who gets to sing at the top of my lungs with you. You are my very best friend, and I am so grateful for the joy you bring to my life and everyone who meets you.

You’re a wife now. And you will be an exceptional wife. Cody is so, so blessed. And I know that technically, our husbands come first, but you are something special. You are my sounding board, the one who hears the most ridiculous of my innermost thoughts, the one who knows every word to every single one of my favorite songs and the one who knows every embarrassing moment of my life (and never fails to bring them up when the time is “right”). You are my movie quoting partner, the one who thinks I’m funny, even when my jokes suck, and the voice of reason when I’m being a psychopath. You have always loved every part of me without question, even when I was unlovable. You are my Tawah Tawah, and you always will be.

I love you so much. I really can’t express how proud I am of you. You were the most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen, full of grace. You were a perfect example of what Christ calls us to be. You were kind and gracious and present for every moment of the entire day. I was so honored to stand beside you and Cody, and I have written a few of my own vows, because weddings call for vows.

I promise to continue standing by your side for every day to come.

I promise to love and support you in every decision you and Cody make, because I trust you’ll make the right choice.

I promise to always be here for you, and to do my best to point you to Christ in your struggles.

I promise to celebrate every day with you, because every day I spend with you is a gift.

I promise to go to the movies with you when Cody doesn’t want to.

I promise to be a stellar sister to Cody, even though he doesn’t get our jokes. We will teach him.

I promise to believe in you, more than anyone or anything. I already do, and that will never change.

I promise to always celebrate your birthday with you in some way, shape or form. I promise to never let it go by un-celebrated.

I promise to be there for you and Cody, whenever either of you need me, forever and ever, amen. Because that’s what sisters do.

Love you. Have an amazing honeymoon.

Love,

Beta

Photography By Deanna Michele

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