I Have a Sister

Well actually, truth be told, I have 3.

But today, I want to tell you about one in particular. And that is my sister, Toady.
Her name is actually Codi, but when I was little, I couldn't say her name, it usually came out as, "Toady." So she is deemed as my Toady.

She makes funny faces with me.


She spent most of her growing up years with me on the bottom of our bunkbeds pushing her up and down or hanging from the top bunk, it didn't matter where I was sleeping though, either way I was usually pleading her to tell me bedtime story.

She's always been the one person I usually told things to first. Maybe that came with the territory of having to share a bedroom with me.

Toad is a master storyteller. She would make up these wonderful, extravagant, adventurous stories, but then she'd get tired so she'd kill everyone that was in the story so she could go to sleep. It always made me mad.

She hikes with me.


She always put up with me borrowing her clothes, rolling on top of her when we'd have to sleep next to each other in the trailer, or talking in my sleep.

People used to say we looked like each other. We both used to have the same cut of bangs, same glasses, and we're both little. It's like we were twins with different hair color. Now, we've grown our bangs out and no more glasses for us two, but I think we still look the most similar out of all of us 4 sisters.


She always believes in me. She tells me that she's proud of me and that I can do anything I put my mind to. She has never told me I can't do something and she's always been there to listen, she's been my shoulder to cry on, and the one who can usually cheer me up with her sheer presence and personality.

She wrestles with me and always wins. She dances with me while we do the Sunday dishes. She writes me poems on my birthday. She always buys me a souvenir (she still does!) whenever she goes on a vacation somewhere.

Toady is one of my best friends. And now, being married, I appreciate the fact that I'm friends with my sisters and can talk with all of them. I love that Codi can still come over to mine and Tyler's apartment and still love talking to me. I love that we can call each other and still be proud of each others successes in life and be there when we fail at something.

She (along with my Mom and older sister, Mel) threw my Grocery Shower for me before my wedding. She put a lot of work in helping me get things ready for my wedding, my new home, and a new life. She bought us so many things and did so much, I know that I will always be in her debt. She is one of the most giving people I know, she must get that from my Mom!

She was also the only sister that was able to come to make it to the temple for our wedding (one is in Guatemala and the other was only able to come to our reception). She waited outside with all of the aunts, uncles, cousins, and in-laws and kept everyone smiling in the cold weather. She even got up early to come with me to get my hair done! Now that for Codi is a sacrifice.


She also was one of the only ones that would take a funny picture with me at the temple on my wedding day. We really like doing funny pictures.


Toad, you're amazing.

I know it.
You know it.
The whole world should know it.