Foto Friday vol. 29 - Meeting my true sister

"A true sister is a friend who listens with her heart."

I'm not sure who said this - - it's a quote I've known for a long time. Knowing the source, though, is not required to comprehend the meaning. Last Friday, Gracie, Preston and I had the privilege of meeting (in person) my true sister, Hannah, and her sweet Vivian.

A year and a half ago (actually to the day, I just realized), Hannah and I met through our blogs because of our daughters' shared diagnosis. We connected through our words instantly and, since then, Hannah has been a steadfast supporter, a shoulder to cry on, someone to celebrate with, laugh with, vent to and dish about favorite shows with. I learn so much from her... about life, motherhood, optimisim, advocacy, love, friendship. Our relationship started because of our amazing daughters, but it goes so much deeper than that commonality. I cannot imagine my life, this journey with my family, without her (and her family).

Hannah listens to my heart with her own... she is my true sister.

There were so many joyful moments in those few hours we spent together. From the first time we hugged through tear-filled eyes, to seeing Miss Gracie scoot toward Hannah and snuggle up, to holding Vivian at her request (be still my heart!) and hearing her delicious chatter as she read books in Preston's room, to seeing Preston run to Hannah with open arms because he, too, felt like he already knew Hannah and Vivian, to watching our kids share a meal (or tastes, in Miss Gracie's case!), to the many started, yet all unfinished, conversations between Hannah and me, to the interactions between our two year-olds that left all four of us rolling in laughter. It's impossible to find the words to describe it all. My heart is so full and my soul well-fed with memories of that day.

Here are a few pictures that captured some of the unforgettable moments last Friday. Both of us were so caught up in the moment initially that we forgot to get out our cameras. Thankfully, Hannah was better about it than I! Unfortunately, though, Miss Gracie was fast asleep (sadly, she ended up having a pretty rough weekend) by the time we started taking pictures, so we will have to get some with all three kiddos next visit... and there will be many more!




Though I only took a few pictures the whole afternoon, I did manage to catch a few seconds of Vivian and Preston together. The lighting is terrible because of the glare outside, but the content is gloriously joyful!