When we moved to Stettler, my very first friend was Lisa. She was 3, I was 6 and our moms quickly became close friends. Between the two of us girls, Lisa’s older brother and my two younger ones, there were 5 of us all with in a 5 year age span and we were all inseperable during our younger years.

I have memories of picking dandelions and making ‘fly-houses’ with Lisa. Memories of her brother and mine playing guns and running through the neighbourhood. Memories of her mom spiking my brothers’ hair and picking me up from school when I bit through my tongue (another story for another time). Memories of Pepsi, Elvis & Benny and the Jets….

Although there were some years where Lisa and I drifted apart (age 11 and age 14 are years apart, ya know), I have always kept an eye her way and we have now become even closer over the past couple of years. And now, this girl — young woman — I have seen as my little sister for the past 18 years has become a mother and I can’t begin to express how excited I am to have our children grow up together, the way we had the opportunity too.

Here is Madelyn, the beautiful daughter of one of the most important women in my life.