Happy b(Earth)day ❤️🎂🌍 To My Sister ❤️ (Patreon)

Earlier today, we did the Zoom thing to tell Linda happy birthday. And it’s Earth Day, which is just perfect for this lil’ lady who loves Momma Earth.

Just a few minutes before we all hopped on, I was informed we would be sharing our favorite memory with Linda. Sweet idea, right? As luck would have it, I was chosen to go first. I should have skipped until I straightened out my thoughts. For me, it's not so easy to just share the surface level experience of a memory. Maybe you've noticed, but I've become rather long-winded when it comes to sharing my feels. I tried to narrow it down to things in the past year, but between my neighbors throwing a party I could see straight out my window and getting me worked up (because we are supposed to be social distancing still), the noises elsewhere, and trying to think quickly... I said all the traveling we get to do together because even when the guys have to do work things, her and I get a little time to ourselves to explore and be in the moment where we are. Truth be told, that was not my first thought. What I wanted to say was:

“My favorite memory with you was that night we stayed up till 5 am talking on the couch in Nashville. Being part of this close-knit family was already pretty rad, but the two of us just didn’t get a ton of time to ourselves. We’d not really had the opportunity to truly get to know each other and having that whole night with no one around was pretty magical. I had so many moments of feeling lost the first year I was around, not because of anyone, but because I was dealing with so much internally. To finally know that I really did have a sister meant everything. I will forever hold that night so near and dear to my heart.”

I couldn't really say this without tearing up and I'll be damned if I was gonna do that on a Zoom with 20 people! So here I am...typing away. 

Truth be told, I can't limit any one memory to my favorite because they all build on top of each other. One beautiful memory allows me to treasure the next even more. I mean, the things we've done in the past year alone is enough to make my heart melt. 

Pictures of us taking pictures of each other, wherever we are. I love your curiosity and your creative eye. I love that you slow down to take in the scenery instead of always rushing by.

Every exciting trip to Porridge + Puffs when in LA...

The amount of work you did on our wedding, with and *especially* without me, because Lort knows if it were up to me there would have been no wedding. lol

I mean… You even brought in your own actual sister to help and you two thought of every last detail and helped us all feel at ease. 

The beach day we took to get in the last bit of quiet time we could before production got really busy. Coincidentally just 6 days before we went into self-quarantine. 

And there’s so much that can’t be put into exact moments in time. You constantly inspire me to seek out my own truths, the truths of others, and the truth of the world. Even when we can’t make sense of things, somehow we still help each other. I’ve grown to love and appreciate this planet more than I knew I could because of your passion. Not once have I ever felt like you were being preachy about environmental issues because you are one of those few who truly lives by example. I can’t get over how freaking perfect it is that your actual birthday is shared with Earth Day.

I am excited beyond all measure to grow wiser with you. And while talking about growing old together and stuff is generally a hubby-wife thing, we’re kind of all a package deal in the family these days, and I do indeed, look forward to experiencing all life has to offer us.

I love you with all my heart, my dearest rittle Rrrinda. I really can’t wait to give you a big ol’ sappy hug filled with love.

..And yes…I am crying as I stand here typing this. You have also rubbed off on me in that way. ;)