Thursday, April 8, 2010

Walk Down Memory Lane



When I was twelve, I wanted to be my sixteen-year-old sister (the taller girl on the right with the totally hot date). I crept into her bedroom in the morning and snuck clothes out of her closet. I stole her books... and returned them after I'd read them. I fell in love with her boyfriends (and there were lots). I even listened to the same radio station because if she listened to that weird alternative stuff, like Depeche Mode and Gene loves Jezebel, then it was the ultimate cool.

Jump ahead thirteen years. My sister decided to be a writer of novels and asked if I wanted to be one too. I was doubtful of my own abilities (failed 9th grade english, didn't go to college) but if she was going to do it, obviously it was the ultimate ULTIMATE cool. That night I sat down and wrote my first page.

Dude. Thanks for the lifelong inspiration, Sue! Hope you have a happy belated Birthday.


40 comments:

jdsanc said...

That is so beautiful! I have an older sister and I sister-stalked her big time when we were growing up. She hated it. Avoided me when we were both in high school. Today the closest she comes to my books is reading them for me, critiquing. She's still got that down!

TerryLynnJohnson said...

what a great story! Makes me wish I had a sister! Happy Birthday Ms.Ultimate Cool!

Shannon O'Donnell said...

I love the picture - it brings back a few memories of my own! :-)

JEM said...

Great story! I thought that picture was from Saved By the Bell or something...very cool, happy birthday!

Amy Jo said...

I swear I have a high school dance picture with that same background! LOL. Maybe it's just a generic Utah one. :)

Slamdunk said...

Ha, I think the photo has a Saved by the Bell essence as well. Glad you and your sister are doing so well.

Happy belated birthday to her from up north.

Janet Johnson said...

Love the picture, and I agree, sisters are the best!

Suzette Saxton said...

Awwwwwww...you are so sweet! Thanks, sis. You should see my grin - it's so big it hurts!

Thanks, Bethany and everyone!

Unknown said...

I love that picture and think this is the sweetest post! I have two younger sisters and love them to death - although if they ever posted my picture with one of my ex's, I might have to retaliate.

Suzette - I think this is your cue to dig up a good one of Bethany! :)

Anonymous said...

It is so wonderful that you had a good example to look up too. It so easily could have been the other way around. Thank goodness for that! Awesome picture!

Stephanie said...

Wah - I missed your birthday? Hope it was fantabulous!

Kayeleen Hamblin said...

That's a great picture. I was the older sister who got stalked. you brought back a bunch of fun memories for me. Thanks!

And happy birthday, Sue! Didn't we just have birthday wishes for Bethany? Did you ever have to share a party?

Matthew MacNish said...

Okay that just made my day. The sentiment and the post ... alright the photo helped too.

The guy on the right has some pretty cool pants on, almost like Zubaz without the print.

Cole Gibsen said...

LOL! Love LOVE the photo. I did some tight-rolling of my own, so I can't say anything :D

Christina Lee said...

I was thinking Saved by the Bell too--check out the roll and tuck jean cuffs!! so so love this!! Happy Birthday!

Rhonda said...

What a great story you share with your sister. :) In my family I was the older sister and I'm pretty sure my younger sisters (I have three) existed just to annoy me. I could be wrong but I have no proof otherwise...LOL

DL Hammons said...

Happy Birthday Suzette!!! Thanks for watching out for your lil' sis for us. :)

Anonymous said...

You two rock. Seriously. Happy belated b-day, Suzette!

Bish Denham said...

I'm SO glad I'm not the only one with a 4 year old sister who is absolutely loved and adored!

We are blessed, are we not?

A.L. Sonnichsen said...

Har har har! That picture cracks me up! I love it! Are those Hammer pants on Suzette's date? Or is there another name for them? I hope they don't come back in style any time soon!!

Angela Ackerman said...

Great pic! Thanks for sharing this slice of your past!

Luna said...

You two are so sweet! I hope you both had wonderful birthdays.

So, I had to wander over here because I saw the picture in my sidebar and it looked like the cast from Saved by the Bell. Too funny!

Jemi Fraser said...

Awesome post! Happy belated Birthday Suzette! Love the hair and the fashions in the photo. :)

Stephanie McGee said...

Oh, the memories that picture brings up. I do wish I had a sister that I got to know. Someday. And I have a wonderful sister-in-law that's fun to be around, so God sort of made

Christi Goddard said...

My sister was 11 months older than me, so we hit a point of proving who could get the hottest guys. She was the prep, I was the stoner. She was popular, I was notorious. I lived on Honor Roll, she dropped out at 17. We are totally different people, and she's my best friend (who I'll never understand, as she doesn't understand me, either).

Happy Birthday (belatedly) Suzette!

Hannah said...

That is so very sweet. :D

Alyssa Kirk said...

Great picture - love the hair and to wonderful story!

Bethany Wiggins said...

THanks for all the comments, guys. As for the sharing a birthday... as kids we never did. As adults, we try to get together around our birthdays and have a big party.

Anonymous said...

I love how "lefty man" over there has penny loafers and cuffed jeans on..."I'll stop the world and melt with you.." so funny.

Awesome Post! Wish my sister and I were as tight knit as you two!

Doreen McGettigan said...

Great photo! I am the older sister and It drove me nuts when my sister stalked me..then I got married at eighteen and she went to college..I decided to go to college too..but I had to juggle a job, house, kids and husband..I was sort of jealous of her freedom but we actually became best friends and still are..she started late and has two teenagers and I have 10 and 3/4 grand kids..I love being there for her when she has those pesky teenager problems..

Mary Lindsey / Marissa Clarke said...

Awwwwww. I'm going to make this required reading for my teen daughters. :)

Love the pic. Love you guys, too! Fun, fun post.

Happy birthdays, Bethany and Suz!

Stina said...

Wow, you two are practically twins with your birthdays. Fortunately for you I have laryngitis (Okay, Simon Crowell email me the other day after I sang happy birthday to Bethany and told me NEVER to do that again.) so here's a birthday hug instead.

Hope you had a fantastic day!

Michelle McLean said...

LOL okay, loving the picture!! Happy belated birthday Suzie :) Hope this year is incredible for you!

Unknown said...

I can definitely relate to looking up to an older sister. I did those same things. What a beautiful story! I'm glad you're both writing now!

Shari said...

Thanks for sharing the story. I'm afraid I'm the big sister and I'm not sure I was as inspirational. I love seeing sisters be such great friends, though.

Happy Belated Birthday!

Unknown said...

Ahh, love this post. Makes me want to go give my sister a cyber-hug.

And Happy Belated Birthday, Suzette! (I think I actually hit it on the real date on Facebook...rare.)

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful story of support and inspiration.

Suzette Saxton said...

Thank you Bethany, and thanks to you all. I can't imagine a better birthday present than this post and these comments.

Suzette

Dana Elmendorf said...

That is the sweetest post.

Bethany Wiggins said...

Hope this was the best birthday yet, with many more to come!