TGIF and ANOTHER birthday!

Happy birthday to Amie, my "Little Sister" is 18 today! We were matched when she was just 9 years old...crazy to think she's 18 already. I'm very proud of the person she has become. During my last trip back to Albany I got to see her very briefly. She looks fabulous and is a confident and happy young woman.

Somehow I managed to run 4 miles on very sore calves...stupid 1,000 lb. challenge yesterday. Even more impressive is that I ran it in 40:30. Don't know where I pulled that out of. I have to run 7 miles tomorrow and spin on Sunday...glad Monday is an off day!

Busy day in front of me so its time to focus and get motivated...HAPPY FRIDAY!!!

Sweet Sixteen

Today is my Little Sister's 16th birthday. I can't believe she is 16 already! I decided to become a Big Sister after my Grandma died in 2001. I wanted to do something positive with my time and I figured it was a great organization.

After months of filling out applications, background checks, training and waiting, Amie and I were finally matched in March of 2002. She had just turned 9 and had been waiting for a Big Sister since her previous Big got married and ended the match. Our visit thing we did together? Rollerskating! It was a BLAST!!!

Over the years, I have watched how Amie has grown and matured. The 9-year old that was shorter than me, now towers over me. The poor student is now an honor student. The shy and sometimes hard little girl has turned into a warm, open and polite teenager. The girl who needed my mentoring, friendship and caring has given the same back to me so many times.

Tonight she has a basketball game and I'm going to watch showing up with her birthday card and a dozen pink roses. I'm so proud of who she is and who she has the potential to be.

Happy Birthday Amie!