Happy Birthday Nicole

On March 15th, twenty-two years ago, Nicole Elizabeth LaBate was born. And I am so glad she was. :) Nicole is the best big sister anyone could ever ask for. She is all that I ever wanted to be and more. She definitely got the brains in the family. Her nick name if "Miss 4.0"...yes she has gotten a 4.0 grade point average (and if you wondering the answer is NO- I haven't) But beyond her brains and beauty she is so much more...she is my best friend. Nicole has always been there for me, through thick and thin. I can recall many times when someone would hurt me or saying something bad about me...Nicole without thinking would go marching over to them and give them a piece of her mind. That is Nicole for you! She is so much fun. When we are together we can laugh and laugh for hours upon hours. I remember looking forward, with much anticipation, to the nights when I would get to sleep in her room. Those were definitely late night full of giggles and secrets. I no longer sleep with her in her room. However I still look forward to every chance I have, to sneak in her room and just talk to her while she goes about her regular morning routine. I simply love everything about Nicole! I remember when I first entered the youth group how scared I was. Everyone was so much bigger than I was. I was so shy and awkward, how would people treat me? I soon realized I had nothing to fear, after all every knew I was "Nicole's little sis" and surprisingly they treated me well. They knew better than to pick on me. Even the teachers called me "Nicole", or "Nicole's sister." In high school I remember one of my good friends telling me she wished she had an older sister like Nicole. I was at that time that I truly began to realize how lucky I really was. It is not every day that the best big sister in the whole wide world is born, you know. Today, as I look back over my life, I see through everything, good and bad times alike, a big sis standing there beside me. Whether I fell skiing and twisted my ribs, or I was to scared to make my store purchases by myself, or walking into a classroom getting ready to give my first speech..my sister has been there through it all. Quite frankly, I have never done much of anything without her. And I like it that way. I am very proud to be "Nicole's little sis."

Happy 22nd Nicki