With my brother's wedding being a few days ago, I began to think about what "In-Law" really means. I mean sure, Lauren isn't my blood, that would be slightly confusing and odd. But she is an ideal sister, a great friend, and the love of my brother's life. I wrote a speech at their wedding, and it is posted below. I'm very lucky to have gained a sister, not a sister-in-law, through my brother's wedding.

Lauren,

I can still vividly remember the first time I met you. It was right around Christmas time, and you came over to our house. You played Guitar Hero with my brother in our living room. Almost as vividly as I remember meeting you, I remember how my brother’s face lit up when you were there that night. I didn’t have to know you well to come to the conclusion that I liked you. You made my brother happy, and that was enough.

You put up with a lot, and being the younger sister, I know firsthand what you go through having Gregory Tate in your life. Today you vowed to love him through sickness and in health, but between the lines you vowed to love him through his gross farts, his love of food, and the nasty poops he likes to take right before you need the bathroom. I thank the Lord daily that you have taken him because now I don’t have to deal with him farting on my head anymore. Yeah you just got married today, but you’ve been a good sister for years now. You’re taking one for the team, and I appreciate that.

All jokes aside, you’ve been apart of the family since the beginning. You’ve loved my brother, but you have also loved my family and me immensely. It’s unfathomable to think of my brother marrying anybody else because you’re the perfect fit. You even deal with the family group texts all the time when everybody sends 30 texts a minute… that’s saying a lot about your character. I feel incredibly blessed that you’re not only in my brother’s life, but in mine too. I went from being the only girl, to gaining you, Sarah, and Amber. I love you incredibly much and I can never express my gratitude towards you for loving my brother.