Happy 18th Birthday to My Lil Sister, Beth

One early morning, 18 years ago, my family grew with the birth of a very special little girl we named Bethany Grace. She was born at 3:14 am on February 6, 1997, and weighed 5 lbs 12 oz. My parents loved her at first sight and considered her an answer to a prayer they had been praying about adding another girl to our family of five. They spent most of her first days with her in the hospital. 

I fell in love with Beth from the moment I first met her when she came home at four days old. She was my little living baby doll. (And she was that small!) I dressed her up, took pictures, changed her into another cute outfit, and repeated.

I helped with her early morning bottle feedings before I left for school each day. That time alone was so special with her. I'd rock her, sometimes sing, and lay her back down. It was hard to wait until the end of school to get home and play with her.

 
I loved seeing her first crawl then take her first steps, get her first tooth then lose her first tooth, start babbling to talking in full sentences, ride a tricycle to riding a bicycle, me reading to her then her reading to me. She loved the park (especially the swings), the library (she loved books), and shopping (and still does!).

We've celebrated eighteen birthdays including a ballerina teddy bear, Teletubby, and Winnie the Pooh. Her birthdays always included many family and friends, many presents, and lots of food.

Beth learned to ice/roller skate at an early age (and skates much better than me today).

getting ready to try out ice skates for the first time

she loves the water

 


One of my favorite moments was finding out her adoption was final- she was ours, forever. But, strangely, nothing seemed different, because she had already been ours to love for months and months.We watched as her personality changed and developed into the confident young lady she is today. (I should have guessed back then that she'd excel in speech and drama one day!)

We love the outdoors and so growing up we spent a lot of time hiking and camping. As she grew older we loved to go camping just the two of us (I think some camp outs may have scarred her a bit). We've explored Fox Ridge, Walnut Point, Eagle Creek, and Shawnee. We've braved caves, waterfalls, and cliffs. These have been some of the greatest bonding times for us as sisters. We both fell in love with ziplining from the first time we did it. 


I watched her nervously start kindergarten and now in a few months I'll be watching her walk across the stage to receive her high school diploma at graduation. Today my little sister moves into adulthood. She leaves behind a childhood filled with many adventures, memories, and firsts.

I am incredibly blessed to be a part of her journey- to see her grow, learn, discover her passions in life, fall down and get back up. I'm so proud of my lil sister and all that she's accomplished this far. I pray God's protection and blessing on her as she begins the most exciting and, at times, scary stage of her life.

I love you always and forever, Beth! Happy 18th birthday!


 

I want to share a poem I wrote for her when she was only a few weeks old. I presented it to her on a plaque for her 18th birthday:




                         
                                              

                    

 A New Life Begun

        Dedicated to my little sister, Bethany

The first time I saw you

My heart just leapt for joy.

All the dreams I have for you,

You'll probably never do.

But as I watch you grow

You will always know

The love I feel for you.

As you laid there in my arms

I began to think

Of all the things that you may do.

You're like a morning mist upon the ground

That starts each day anew.

The prayers I prayed for you,

That God would see you through. 

Some nights I'd lie awake

And pray God's best for your sake.

There is always a place for you

Deep within my heart.

Remember that God is always there,

As this new life you start.

-Sarah Elizabeth Tucker-