My dear, sweet Paige

I have been extremely blessed by the people God has chosen to place in my life. My family is incredible. My in-laws (all of them) are amazing as well. They treat me like an actual member of the family, not an in-law. They welcomed me with open arms at our first meeting and it's been remarkable ever since.

My sister-in-law Paige is Ryan's oldest sister. While I love all of Ryan's siblings equally, Paige and I have more in common than any of the others. We are both mothers. That is enough to bond us for life. And we both have this love for Ryan that is undeniable and unbreakable. I love that she loves him as much as she does. I love that she loves my kids the way she does. She treats them as if they were her own when they are around her.

But what I find the most moving is the relationship that I've developed with her over the past 6 years. Paige was a bit intimidating at first. She has such a bond with Ryan that I didn't know where I would stand with her. She was welcoming from the night I met her, though. I felt an instant chemistry with her that I almost can't describe. It was like she just got me. She understands my sense of humor. She understands my frustrations with things. She keeps my confidences when I entrust her with them.

She laughs with me when life is silly and funny. She cries with me when it gets really hard and painful. She is a sounding board for me when I feel like I'm losing my mind sometimes. She's more than just my sister-in-law. She really is my friend. But I really think it's even more than that. She's my sister. I love her dearly for treating me with such respect that I never thought I deserved.

She may or may not realize that she does this, but there is something that she says that moves me almost to tears (and actually results in tears sometimes) when I hear it. It's small. It may not mean much to most people, but it means everything to me. I don't have a biological sister. It's just me and my brother. And Paige has been calling me "Sis" for awhile now. Every time she says it, I get this catch in my throat. It means the world to me. I have always wanted to have a sister. I think anyone who doesn't have one feels that way. And to feel like she thinks of me as her sister....wow! I don't know if she knows she's even saying it. But I notice it. Every single time. And I love her even more for it.

I thank God often for bringing specific people into my life. I am so thankful that He chose to allow us to be in each other's lives forever. She is the epitome of what a true friend is. Thank you, Paige, for being my friend AND sister!