A long time ago in a place far, far away (at least far away from Ottawa), a girl was born on this day. I wanted to take a few minutes to share some stories in her honour.

* Melissa’s birth made me an aunt when I was 6. How cool is that?
* Melissa is the original “pig sister” and I love her turned up nose. She is just so cute!
* I’m told that Melissa knew how to read before she started school. I have no memory of this but I think she is pretty smart now. She still knows how to read, I can vouch for that.
* When Melissa started grade one at the same school where I was in grade eight, it was hard to be cool with a little kid yelling, “Aunt Barbara” at recess. I’m glad that some part of me knew that being cool was less important than my relationship with Melissa.
* When Melissa was a tween, I offered her an “out” from calling me “aunt” in an attempt to make her feel grown up. She thought it meant I was embarassed by her. Au contraire. I continue to be proud that she calls me “Aunt Barbara”.
* Melissa could always be counted on for an eye roll or protest whenever any of the other kids would leave her house to go to “The Farm”. By walking across the lane to Grandma Joyce’s house.
* Melissa was my maid of honour and I was glad to have someone beside me on my wedding day who had been with me through childhood and who will be with me as we are old women.
* At one point in her teens, Melissa said something wise to me. She said that when our lives were similar, we’d be close and at other times we might be less so and we’d just have to wait for a bit. She was right. The 6 years between us have made more or less of a difference over time.
* To be sure we’d have lots in common for a long time. Melissa and I had babies on the same day. Actually, Melissa had no idea that we were trying for a baby when she was. She called to tell me that she was having a baby and I was excited for her but didn’t spill my news. It seemed too much like I was trying to counter her good news with some of my own. I’m glad we have a boy and a girl so that they can be friends without (much) comparison.
* Melissa made a beautiful quilt for Reid before she was born. The parcel arrived for Baby X from Baby Y just days before Reid was born. It was lovely timing that it arrived in the last days of my pregnancy.
* Ken likes to tell me that being a “Great Aunt” is the same as being a “Grandparent”. I haven’t conceded the point but I don’t blame Melissa for making me an almost-grandparent at such a young age.
* Melissa is working to change her work so that she can stay home with her boys. Being a smart person, she has managed to tie work in with her quilting. It takes nerve to change. Melissa has nerve. Errm, I mean that she is brave. ;+)

Happy birthday, Melissa.