Happy 40th Birthday Yona!

Today is my sister Yona’s 40th birthday. I am so sorry that I cannot be there to give her a huge hug and be there to celebrate with her. So I wanted to make her a list of 40 reasons why I love her so much. They are not in any order and I can easily think of hundreds more so this is just a tiny subset of the world of reasons I am thankful she’s my sister. She’s amazing and I am truly lucky to have her in my life.

40 Reasons Why I love you so:

• I love that you taught my kids how to blow kisses and catch them
• I love that you save all your boys’ toys so mine can play with them, too
• I love that you spend hours playing with my sons, even over the internet
• I love that you cook us delicious meals when you visit!
• I love that you are always honest with me
• I love that you never forget any of my special occasions, you always check in, follow up and you never ever make me feel alone.
• I love that you taught me how to read. The best present I got in my life.
• I love that you always tell me how proud you are of me.
• I love that you read my blog. You even comment!
• I love that you are dedicated to making sure our kids are close to each other and we are close to each other’s kids.
• I love that you are always patient with me.
• I love that you do not judge me because I am so different and you love me just the way I am.
• I love that you inspire me so much with your self-confidence.
• I love that you are always so genuine and I can feel your love so deeply.
• I love that you call my husband your brother. He loves you so!
• I love that you listen to me complain about the same worries for hours and always reassure me.
• I love that you are so organized and work so well with mom, I am amazed and inspired by everything you two have accomplished.
• I love that you make sure your kids know the importance of education and studying. You’ve probably done more homework with them than when you were a kid!
• I love that you always believe in me.
• I love that each time I visualize your face, you always have such a big smile that it travels all the way to your eyes. Just thinking of you makes me happy.
• I love that you are patient and kind to mom and dad and me.
• I love that even though you always say you can’t think of good ideas, you’re the one who came up with all the amazing ideas like roses with sentiments to mom and dad, the videotape for dad, the site for mom, etc.
• I love that besides reading, you also gave me my second all-time-favorite present, the book. I cherish, love and adore that book you gave me even though it makes me cry every single time.
• I love that you support my scrapbooking and always encourage me.
• I love that you save and collect and beg for scraps of fabric just so you can get them for me. You are so kind and generous and loving.
• I love that when I asked you for some trinkets and beads, you did your typical Yona thing and ended up buying me drawers full of amazing things and sent me a huge box. You love to spoil me.
• I love that you taught everyone in your family the love of skiing so it’s something you can all do together now. You’ve always been so good at sports. (Unlike your little sister.)
• I love that you love taking pictures almost as much as I do.
• I love that you always, always look out for me.
• I love that you make sure I don’t miss anything even though I am so far away. You always send me videos, copies of presentations, family events, and make a point of making me feel included.
• I love that you and I can spend an entire day just talking.
• I love that you are your own person. You have taught me to be stronger.
• I love that you like learning and taking lessons just like me. Languages, candle making. I so wish we could take them together.
• I love that you took the time to come visit me so we could spend some time together just you and me. You’re always amazing like that.
• I love that you’ve always been by my side. All the cards and letters you sent me when you were away and then when I was away and all the emails and Skypes now. Even though we’ve spent more moments apart than together, I haven’t felt your absence once.
• I love that you are such an amazing mom. From the very first moment, you were comfortable with being pregnant and then raising twin boys. You always showed me that it is not as scary as I worried it would be. You have two amazing sons and that’s due, in large part, to their amazing mom.
• I love that you always put your family first.
• I love that you never forget to do what’s right. Invitations, obligations, thank yous. You’re so much better than anyone I know.
• I love that you and I will be sisters forever. I am so thankful.
• I love you so much canim ablacim. You are my role model, my solid, strong, confident sister thanks to whom I will never ever feel alone in the world. I am so thankful to have you and I love you so so so much. I am so sorry I am not there with you right now but my heart is with you, always.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY YONA!!! I LOVE YOU!