When I was 2 years, six months, and 21 days old I met my little brother, Fred. According to witnesses, I wasn’t 100% on board with the new addition and I suggested we give him back. Fortunately for Fred, my parents ignored my only-child pleas and brought him home for good.

That cute little 2 1/2 year old didn’t know how lucky she was. Sure, now she had to share her toys and her parents, but she suddenly had a built-in best friend. Yeah, he occasionally scalped her Barbies and wrecked her games of “house” and “school”, but overall he was an excellent co-pilot/test dummy/guinea pig.

Well, last week my little test dummy proposed to his girlfriend. (Cue the 1 am phone call I received last Monday night.) My brain is still confused because I swear last month he was that kid who spent hours laying out his Pokemon cards or building sandcastles in the backyard with the garden hose. Then I blinked and he became a 22 year old, engaged, nearly-college-graduated adult. When did I enter this alternate universe and where did my crayons go?

All jokes aside, my brother’s cute little life partner is a serious catch. She’s smart, faith-driven, and totally committed to my baby brother. I am so excited to call her my sister and my friend. They’re an incredibly dapper match and to quote the great Taylor Swift, “they’ll never go out of style.” (I’m serious- she’s a fashion blogger: The Daily Sugar. They really are very stylish. I can’t even begin to imagine her wedding dress!)

Congratulations, Fred & Christina! I’m so excited and happy for you! I can’t wait to celebrate your love and to watch it grow, strengthen, and flourish over the course of your life together!!

-Louise

Feeling very grateful for my love-filled, growing family!