So. Excited. I'm. Gonna. Die.

My older sister Eila is THE coolest person I know.   She's the top dog.  I really can't convey in words how great she is.  Let's just say that since I was about 12, she's been my number one role model in life.  Here are the top 27 (completely arbitrary number with no relation to persons living or dead) reasons why:

Of all the pictures we took...this is the
one Eila wanted to keep

27.  You know how bad singers shatter glass? Well, Eila's singing can put glass together.  

26. She's like the Usain Bolt of beauty.  She looks good no matter what time of day it is, no matter what she's wearing, short or long hair...she's just gorgeous. 

25. She's a health genius.  She's so inspiring in her passion for being healthy, exercising and eating right.  

24. Elle Woods? Even though I tease her about connections she may or may not have to a character in Legally Blonde, I'm super proud of my big sister and her passion for studying law.  

23. She is the kindest person and the greatest example of service and loving others.  She can talk to anyone  and befriends everyone she meets because she truly cares about them. 

22.  Along those lines, she's such a great missionary, a real "window to His love" kinda gal. ;)

21.  She's the tannest white person I know.  

20.  Eila thinks I'm funny. And she has the most infectious laugh. Win. Win. 

Yep, there's the notorious outfit...

19.She's concerned for my well-being and takes care of me; never fails to make sure I look good.  I can't tell you how many spur-of-the-moment shopping sprees we've gone on when she's come home and seen my wardrobe.  Every time I see a sweet-potato fry I'm reminded of sitting by the river in Buffalo, eating sweet-potato fries and honey, having a grand time, and hearing "What are you wearing???". I was wearing a graphic T-shirt and a striped collared shirt, btw. Yeah....good call Eila.  

18. Adventure is Eila's middle name. One time, we got to spend the summer together, just the two of us, in Hawaii.  That summer consisted of driving around the island, hiking, swimming, and lots and lots of laying out in the sun.  

17.  She  still loves me, even though I ruined her birthday by being born the day before it.  She's always makes my birthday the best day ever.  

16.  She encourages me to do good things, and is proud of the things that I do.  

15.  Two words: piano maestro. 

14. Eila is like the number one uplifting person I know.  Simply being around her or talking to her just makes me want to be a better person.  

13. Youth.  She's got lots of it.  Seriously, she could probably power a small bus with all the energy she has.

12. Honest.  She just says it like it is.  No beating around the bush.  

11. "Biggy biggy biggy." and also "the Silent Giant."

10. She is so forgiving. My relationship with Eila is one of the best relationships I have with anyone.  I'm not saying it's "perfect." We have our share of disagreements and ridiculous tiffs. But the thing about fighting with Eila is, I just love and respect her so much that I can't let myself stay mad at her or let her stay mad at me.  My relationship with Eila is so important to me because of the joy that it brings me that I'd agree that I'm a middle aged man so long as it meant we were reconciled.
9. "I would be delighted!" -watching movies with Eila is indeed a delight because she is one of the few people in the world that truly understands my sense of humor.

Just because I know it'll make Eila laugh...

8. "I'm tweeeeeeenty."

7.  Phone calls with Eila are second best only to face-to-face conversations with her. 

6. She let's us call her Alien. 

5. Only 5'4 and she could probably take on Jimmer in one on one.  She's got the basketball jones.

4. Inside jokes.  There are some words and phrases we just can't say in public because it'll cause an outbreak of laughter. Exhibit A: "You hypocrite!"  Exhibit B:"Happy burrrsday."                                                                                                                                                                          5. The MOAS (mother of all sneezes) Thank goodness she doesn't have very many allergies.  

4. She's kind of gullible, but it's cute and really endearing.  

3. The thinker.  I can always feel confident going to Eila for advice because she really puts a lot of thought into everything she says and does.  

2. She's so accomplished and ambitious. Only in her twenties and she's already gotten her bachelor's degree, gone on a mission, worked several legitimate jobs, gone through 2 years of law school, and...

1. Gotten engaged!!! :) I'm so incredibly happy for her.  She doesn't even know.  She and Brian are the cutest couple I've ever known.  Just picture Jane Bennett and Charles Bingley (mixed with Jim Halpert) and you've got it.  And seriously, I know I've gone on about how cool Eila is, but Brian is also a really stellar guy.  Ha, I feel like Mr. Bennett: "I could not have parted with you, my Eila, to anyone less worthy." Man....I am stoked! :

As Eila put it: "He liked it, so he put a ring on it."

There you have it, a blog post dedicated entirely to you, Eila.  Haha, I just remembered this: "I'm gonna tell you something, and I'm just gonna be completely honest with you.  I used to be a detective.... So..it's up to you..." Ha, remember that old lady who wanted us to bust her out of that assited living place? Good times....