Annie Adair Moody

Adair,

On this day 19 years ago I became a big sister.

I have loved you since the day you were born.

  A little red headed "princess."

Although you and I have the largest gap in age compared to all four of us, I feel we have a special bond.  We share a tie of having both a big and little sister and also have the privilege of being a big and little sister.  We are the middle children.

I've been told that when you were young I loved taking you out of your crib to show you our "new" porch.  Even if I was holding you by your neck,  I wanted to show you the world.  You are so unique in so many ways.  From your red hair and beautiful dimples to being left handed you've always been one of a kind.  Growing up we always loved teasing that you were "adopted" yet LOVED the fact that your name was Annie and you had red hair just like the movie. 

One of my favorite memories with you took place about a year and a half ago.  Mom and Dad told me that you were on the ballot for homecoming court.  Day after day I waited to see who made the next cut.  As soon as I heard you made top three for the seniors I knew I wanted...no I NEEDED...to be there for you.  Although you didn't know it at the time, I booked a flight home to surprise you.  The whole next week during your homecoming activities I kept telling you how excited I was for you and how sad I was that I couldn't be there.  I even told you I couldn't come because Pi Phi's Grub was that weekend (which was true) and I already had a date.  So the day finally came to fly home on that Thursday afternoon. When I got home that night you were already at the fire station helping decorate your class homecoming float.  As soon as I walked in the door everyone was ready to go see you.  Even Mary Jeanne came home a day early to surprise you.  So off we went to the fire station and once we got there I kind of stood back so that you would see Mom and the others first.  You were surprised and excited when you saw that Mary Jeanne came home a day early, but I will never forget the look on your face when our eyes met.  You rushed to me and squeezed me tight with your head in my shoulder and tears falling down.  I was overwhelmed and I felt so blessed.  Blessed that, though we are miles apart, our relationship is still so strong and grateful that I was able to come home to support you for this special event.  I was so thrilled to be there!  You looked so beautiful in your blue formal dress and in your purple dress for the football game.

That, my little princess, is one of many of my favorite memories with you.

As this day comes to an end I want you to know that I love you.  You are continuously in my thoughts and prayers.  Both your strength and wisdom are admirable and your love for God is unfailing.  You are such a beautiful 19 year old on the inside and out.  We have a lot of more memories to make together and I will cherish each and every one of them.