I've Got You, B!

It's hard to believe, but today my friend Bertha turns 50.

What makes this so incredible? Bertha is a mere 13 days older than me - something I remind her every chance I get. (why her son believes she's in her late 30's is a question you will have to ask her.)

We met in 1979 - just 19 and emerging from the protective cocoons of our childhood. I was living away from home for the first time in my life while attending college in New York. We bonded instantly as sisters and have remained that way ever since. Bertha and her entire family welcomed me into their lives with open arms and a fair amount of teasing, which I've come to learn is their way of showing love and acceptance. Along the way, I've acquired an affinity for cuban food, a second set of parents (who are not afraid of exercising their parental rights, sometimes more than my natural set) and the gift of a second language, thanks in great part to the spanish-speaking branch of my family.

Bertha and I have weathered through a lifetime of experiences - graduations, weddings, births, deaths, the occasional emergency room visit and countless family dinners. We've laughed together, cried together, argued and made up, and kept each others' secrets. And we've celebrated every birthday landmark together as well.

In our 20's, we shared our hopes, dreams, first loves and first heartbreaks. In our 30's, we journeyed into adulthood, celebrated our expanding families, discovered first grey hairs and bemoaned our expanding wastelines. Our 40's brought about lots of change, including cross country moves to the great Southwest, where we continue to share more reasons to laugh, cry and celebrate. We've traveled through each decade together, sharing the common bonds of age and experience.

As we reach our Golden Birthday celebration, I think back on those two naive girls full of promise. I reflect on the amazing woman we've become. On the inside, we are still those two 19 years old girls today. Still dreaming, still aspiring to be the best that we can be, both wishing for another 50 years or more to enjoy this life we've been so fortunate to share.

Happy Birthday, Bertha

My Sister

My Friend

Never stop dreaming...