to madison

Another birthday missed. It's days like this that I really, truly miss America. Today is Madison's 19th birthday, and I really couldn't be more sad that I'm missing it. In the Hassler household, birthdays are a big deal. Our entire family is obsessed with them, and we have what we call the 'birthday season', which starts at Hayley's birthday in September, then goes on to Madison's in October, and finally to mine in November. 3 girls, 3 months, 3 birthdays, chronological order by birth.

And today is the second of those! So in honor of my beautiful, wonderful, fabulous, awe-inspiring sister, I give you:

19 pictures that sum up why I love Madison:

1) We can always have fun together. Through good fashion and bad fashion (see above), crazy times, or just a normal day, I always have so much fun with my sister.

2) She is definitely my "mommy madison". Sometimes I truly feel like Madison is the older sister- she can be so mature and always has everything together. Plus, she puts up with me! (you're welcome for this awful picture, by the way).

3) We have the most fun travelling experiences together. Seriously, I wish that she was with me on every trip I take over here. I always think whenever I go to a new city, "oh, next time when Madison and I come back here..." See above pic for our Paris McDonalds experience! (Sorry again for eating all the fries)

4) We have the same music obsession. This picture is of us with Eric Hutchinson. When I won tickets at Furman my sophomore year for myself and a friend to meet Eric Hutchinson, I knew exactly who to call! Not to mention the best summer of my life was spent with me, my new car, my new license, my new appreciation for finding my own music, and Madison.

5) She's actually the smartest person I know. Whether her SAT score is absolutely killing mine (thanks for the self esteem boost, Miss I-scored-higher-on-math-as-a-freshman-than-my-sister-did-as-a-senior) or she's graduating valedictorian of Hartsville High and getting the Wylie Math scholarship to Furman, this girl is smart. Plus I just think its so cool that she's into math- I mean really, who likes math?

6) She's beautiful. Of course this goes without saying, but she is seriously one of the prettiest people ever. I have always been envious of my beautiful sisters, who are pretty in such different ways. Madison was even Miss Hartsville High her senior year! Seriously I remember crying when she won because I couldn't think of anyone prettier or more deserving.

7) Our childhood memories will always be the most special to me. So yeah, we may have played with Barbies in these really complex plots (remember the Barbie with cancer? Or the "bad girls"?) or me dragging her by her hair on the carpet, or even "I smell like cheese", I can't imagine anyone more fun to grow up with.

8) We have the same taste in books, and can spend hours talking about it. The picture of the book is purposefully blank, because well, we may actually really be obsessed with a pretty embarassing genre (dragons anyone?).

9) She's crazy athletic. Oh hello, 3 varsity letter sport star. Oh goodbye my dignity the one day I decided to go to track practice. Can't keep up with the kind of discipline this girl has.

10) She cares about people. I have no bigger supporter than my sister. She's the one I cry to, the one I call when I have good news, and the one I know will always, always be there for me.

11) We love our TV shows. There are a select few shows that Madison and I are obsessed with and could probably have days worth of conversation on. Marry us, Chuck Bass.

12) There's nothing better than a talk session with your sister over Rancho's cheese dip. Europe has made me appreciate this even more, and it's not just the cheese dip I miss, I promise!

13) She teaches me to be the best person I can possibly be. There is a quote about sisters that I love- it goes like this: "A sister may be the keeper of one's identity, the only person with the keys to one's unfettered, more fundamental self." That is what Madison is to me. No matter what happens, she will always be the one to remind me of who I am and why I'm special.

14) Does this really need an explanation?

15) She makes a mean pound cake. And not only does she not fail at cooking like I do, she's actually an excellent baker. Multi talented, sigh. Mail me some brownies?

16) Her best friends are my best friends. Growing up, I always loved that we had the same circle of friends. And even to this day I think it speaks volumes for her maturity that she was always able to hang out with the "older kids".

17) She is a child of God. She inspires me every day to grow in my faith, and I have been so proud of her for the way she has become so involved with church at Furman. Can't wait to visit good old TR UMC with you when I get back!

18) She is the most put together person I know. Literally, I don't know anyone else that I can count on more to have things all together. Not only does she run her own life seamlessly, she still has time to be one of the most genuine, beautiful people I know.

19) She has been, and always will be my best friend. There is no better friend than a sister, for a sister makes every other best friend seem just a little less. Madison and I are sisters by birth, but best friends through the grace of God and the love that we have for each other.

I guess to conclude I can say that Madison has always been my hero. I remember being asked in high school to write about someone who is your hero, and while other kids in my class wrote about sports stars and celebrities, all I could think about was my little sister. My little sister- the beautiful, one of a kind, most genuine, perfect, and caring person I know. The one who has been there through it all and has loved me despite it all. I miss you so much today Mads, you can't even fathom. I'm literally tearing up because I just can't wait a whole month to see you. I love you so much, and I am so proud of you. I can't wait to spend the rest of my time at Furman with you!