" A sister is a gift to the heart, a friend to the spirit, a golden thread to the meaning of life."
- Isadora James
Sweetwater Oaks is a family based company. You'll often hear us refer to each other as the Sweetwater Oaks Family. This aspect of our culture and atmosphere is built on how we live our daily lives.
You see this family is full of beautiful sisterly relationships. Those relationships have taught us so many things over the years about life, love, respect, and loyalty. From Sally and Sara to Jamie and Mandi to Katelyn and Lyndsay to Lyndsay and Lindsay there are so many stories to be told, laughed at, and learned from.
Sisterhood comes in all shapes and sizes. Katelyn's Kollection is in honor of our sister who has gone on to her eternal reward. She passed away 6 years ago leaving behind a beautiful baby girl and for the first few years of her life she got to hang out with me. Being the Disney lover I am one of her first Disney films was Frozen - she loved it! I thought that was so neat considering the relationship her mother and I have. Our niece then began to really wonder about the relationships around her and how we were all connected. She knew her mom is my sister and that we look so very similar, however, she couldn't figure how to fit LouLou (Lindsay) in with her beautiful redheaded self. I tried explaining to her that she was my sister in law because she married Wes (her mom and my brother), however, that didn't seem to be a strong enough word to describe who LouLou was becoming in our family. So I instead told our niece that LouLou was something even more special than just a SIL - she was my sister in Christ and that made our relationship even more special. So doing what little people do best my niece turned that into the cutest phrase I hope I never forget, "Mommy is your sister and LouLou is your Christ sister!" And what a sister she has been!
Many think this passage in the Bible is in reference to a husband and wife and it is often used in weddings, however, it is actually Ruth speaking to her mother-in-law, Naomi. Ruth chapter one verse sixteen says, "But Ruth said: 'Entreat me not to leave you, or turn back from following after you; For where you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge,I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God.'" What a beautiful testament to friendship and how ones love, care, and devotion can change the heart of another. I feel as though this verse aptly describes the relationship Lindsay not only has with Wesley, but with my entire family and in turn with me as well. This year on her birthday I wrote: "Happiest of birthdays to my adventure buddy! I'm so glad Wesley chose you for US! I love your spunky personality, fierce loyalty, and how alike we are even if that's not the best thing sometimes. Thank you for being my "adult" bestie and for sharing my buddy and sassy girl with me. Love you LOTS!" No lies decide there!
Women need other women - their tribe if you will. Because life is hard, a woman's role in our culture is hard (motherhood, work life balance, ect...) , and let's face it - girls are just plain mean sometimes. But I believe that instead of a tribe what we all need and are searching for is sisterhood. A band of women so closely related, sharing life's experiences, and remaining loyal to one another so devotedly nothing could bring them down. For doesn't the good book say, "Two are better than one and a three fold cord is not easily severed."? We all need that helping hand or shoulder to lean on at times and hearing the words "sister I see you" in those times means more than any advise whether well-meaning or not ever could.
I am so glad God chose to bless me with a sister for he gave me a life long friend and partner in crime. For in the cookies of life, sisters are the chocolate chips. But now that Katelyn is no longer on this earth I sure am glad He saw fit to give me sisters from all corners of my life - my brothers wives, my friends, my cousins, my teaching coworkers, and my fellow soldiers in His army. They are my tribe - my sisters and together our sisterhood is strong in Him.
The idea of this adventure was born from one sisters encouragement to another. We wouldn't be where we are today doing what we're doing without that nudge! Lindsay and I hope you have some sisters in your life to encourage you to do hard things and dream big!
"Sisters function as safety nets in a chaotic world simply by being there for each other."
- Carol Saline