A few weeks ago my sweets and I were able to sneak away for a weekend getaway. We were heading to the beach just the two of us to celebrate the wedding of long-time friends. The time away was much needed—relaxing, reconnecting, and slowing down from our fast-paced lives. I had never been to a beach wedding before, but I knew it would be a treat.

The setting was wonderful. The bride was gorgeous and the handsome groom could not take his eyes off her. It was amazing to witness. Every time my husband and I attend a wedding we hold hands and look at each other with tears of joy in our eyes. We are remembering our wedding and the day the Lord made us man and wife. I just love weddings!

But this time something else stood out to me more than the bride and groom. I was not expecting it, but I could not take my eyes off them: beautiful sisters. It was the mother of the groom and her younger sister. I watched them. I admired them from afar. I did not want them to know I knew their secret—their secret looks, their secret smiles, their secret tears. Every time they were looking at each other they were sharing a beautiful sisterly bond. Only the two of them knew what each look, smile, and tear meant. Each one of them made it to all the nieces and nephews and shared their infectious love. When the music started they grabbed each others’ hands and away to the dance floor they went, calling all to join them. I was one of the first ones out there; I cannot resist a great dance party with two beautiful sisters beckoning!

I contained my tears for most of the night. Then came time for the mother of the groom to dance with her son. The way the Aunt watched her sister and son dance together was a sight to behold…the pure love she had in her eyes for each of them…the way they sang to each other. I simply fell apart. Tears came, my heart ached. I missed my sweet sister. I looked to my left and I found my handsome husband looking at me. He was watching what I was watching and he had many tears too. He knew my heart was hurting. He held me and we watched this beautiful moment together.

At the end of the evening, I walked up and complimented the sisters and told them I enjoyed watching them and their family. They were so kind and loving. I did not share that I once had an amazing sister. I did not tell them that Kara and I had dreams of dancing together at our children’s weddings. I did, however, tell them how much I enjoy watching sisters who love each other.

Sisters have an amazing bond. I no longer have a sister on this earth. There is not a day that goes by that I don’t think of her, miss her, ache that she is no longer here. The one thing I do have is the promise that I will see her again.

I also have three amazing daughters. I watch the bond between them grow stronger each day. I watch them argue, forgive, support, love, and encourage each other. I am so thankful they have on another. I am so thankful they were able to witness the love Kara and I shared.

I miss my sister. Sometimes I miss her so much it takes my breath away. Sometimes I miss her and I cannot believe that she is really gone. I still hear her in my head. I hear her words, her voice, her thoughts, her encouragement, her love for me, her laugh…oh, I miss her laugh.

I am so thankful for the time we had together, I am thankful for her children. They all carry a piece of her. I am thankful for my aching heart… that means I loved so deeply, so unconditionally, so purely. I am thankful that Ella, Harper, Lake, and Story each have a sister. I am also thankful for all those beautiful sisters that surround me everyday. To witness the bond of sisters is so beautiful and so, so dear to my aching heart.

I am also so thankful for my brother. Because of him I still get to be a sister. He and I have each other. He and I have beautiful memories of our beloved sister. He and I both lost a sister. He and I know the pain we feel. Thank you for all your love and support, Dennis. Thank you for allowing me to “sister” you.

Thank you, Kara, for no words left unsaid. Thank you for pushing me to be the best I can be. Thank you for teaching me how to love. Thank you for being the best “seester”.

Do you have a sister? Do you cherish that sisterly bond? Does your sister know how much she means to you? Do you have someone in your life like a sister? Is there someone you could reach out to in sisterly love to develop that kind of relationship?