Mrs. and Mr. Lee

April 30th, 13 days before the biggest test of my life, our family life changed forever. My older sister's long time boyfriend, Andy proposed and Mary had accepted. The next two weeks I fought the urge to look at bridal gowns and re-activate facebook. I forced myself to focus on Step1. I remember Mary telling mom and I, us all screeching, getting off the phone and crying. Mary would not be Miss Schiraldi anymore. I was getting a new brother. It was a feeling of overwhelming happiness.

The next months are a blurr, wedding dress shopping, trying on bridesmaid dresses with Ali on Long Island, and telling anyone and everyone who would listen about Mary & Andy's big day. I can't believe how fast it came, and how calm Mary always was. I'd always ask her if I could do anything, and she'd answer, "No, everything is under control." It always was.

Two years ago, my cousin Casey got married to her husband, Andrew. It was a blast. But I always knew this would be different. For 18 years of my life, Mary was always down the hall. Even after, she would rush home for proms and important events. While Mar lived almost three years of her life before me, I have never lived a day without her. Honestly, I don't think I ever could have.

The week before the wedding, I had the chance to drive out to Seneca Falls and stay with Mar and Andy in their new house. It was great to have down time with them, eat dinner, sit by the fire (ok, and clean and grade). I loved being there to help them out, and I honestly feel like I was only paying them both back for everything they have given me over the years.

Wedding weekend began with Mom, the four of us, Andy and Ali all sitting in the living room catching up, laughing, and snacking on something yummy. It was-perfect. I cannot say enough about how those moments with the seven of us will always mean the world to me. They come too far apart, but each time they happen, it was worth the wait.

The weekend went off without a hitch. It was great to have mom and dads family's together again and all there for Mar and Andy. It was so good to meet the Lee's family, and Andy's sister Karen. The weather was gorgeous, and when I think of the weekend, I can't think of anyone I saw without a huge smile on their face.

The biggest of those smiles, was Smush's. Not saying she isn't a happy person in general, but she has had a special glow since April 30th and it was absolutely amazing to see her all decked out and looking great on her big day. She had such a smile, something I will never forget-and pictures will always help me to remember.

Can't wait for the next one, but in the meantime and after still going to be smiling about the wedding of the year. Andy and Mar, I think I can speak for your entire family when I say how happy we are that you've found each other, and invited us to share in your big day. It was, unforgettable. Love you both!

Mrs. Reynolds

The morning after my sleepy drive from Baltimore to Warsaw, I woke up and got ready for one of my greatest friend's wedding. In junior high, I befriended Nichole Donahue, and my life is still so much better because of it. It started with soccer, basketball, and softball, but with time we hung out way more than just sports seasons.

With vehicles came trips to boys soccer games, pizza hut buffets, and shopping trips. Her family became mine, and Id argue Nichole, Jess, Jackie and I were inseparable, on and off the court. We came up with silly nicknames, some of which still stand, and have the hilarious ability to call each of us the same exact name, and sit together knowing exactly who we're talking about.

I remember really funny (ok and scary) nights in college with Nichole. One time in Buffalo with my dad, I went into her dorm room to get her. My dad told me after he was glad I came out, because not only did he not know which building I had entered, but he also didn't know her first or last name. To him, she was "woof".

One of my best memories of the four of us was two winters ago. It was my first Christmas back from Cayman, and the four of us sat around my kitchen table, laughing and drinking my favorite kind of wine. Afterwards, we all went out for my birthday.

We had an absolute blast dancing the night away with our families, and Nichole's new family at her big day, September 25. Well she is now "all grown up", she'll always been my ma, my woof, and one of the best friends a girl could hope for. Congratulations Mrs. Reynolds, I love you!


"..one of the most important things in life is showing up. I'm blown away by your ability to show up through everything.." ~Hardball

The End of Baltimore

Well, I'm a bit behind on blogs. So, I'll back up before I go forward. First, the end of IM.

As my first rotation came to an end, I could not wait for home, my friend Nichole & my sister's wedding, and the end to 12 hour 6 day work weeks. I learned, as my little sister says, a shit ton of material at that hospital. The interns, residents, director and staff were amazing. What I wasn't expecting, was to make some friends during the stay as well. I joked when I left for Cayman, I already have amazing friends-why make more? Well, we all know how good that worked. I can't imagine my life without a Sajitha, Shazia, etc. etc. But when I went to Baltimore, I was thinking-its 12 weeks with people I don't know. Well, as we all stood in our assembly room, where we had 3 lectures per day for 12 weeks, there were people having tears at the idea of leaving the place. While I didn't shed any tears, it was definitely much sadder than I was expecting, and I really do hope to run into some of my "Harbor Hotel" friends in the years to come. Because Caribbean students all do rotations at the same hospitals in the same major cities, there is a good chance for that to happen.

Our last night in Baltimore (Thursday), we all met out for dinner and drinks. The picture below is some of my friends from the rotation. The night ended around 2:30, and that 6:30am alarm was brutal the next morning. After a full days work, I traveled home. My fatigue caused me to make a wrong turn, adding 2 hours plus to my already long drive home, but I made it home around 12:30 to my mom and big brother. I went to sleep with a huge smile on my face that night.