A Fall Dress & 13 Candles

I'm pretending like it's not scorching outside. I'm ignoring the hot rays on my face and the horrible red sunburn on my chest. So although I've been saving this dress for more bearable weather, I decided that yesterday was a good day to pull it out of my closet since it was my brother and dad's birthday celebration. I plan on reinventing the dress later on in the cooler days of October but for the 95+ degree whether at the moment, this will have to do.

Dress: Forever 21
Jean Jacket: local clothing shop
Tights: Simply Vera for Kohls
Shoes: Target
Hidden earrings: gift from Brazil

My brother, Derek, officially turns thirteen today. Although we have our quarrels (like many other brothers and sisters) I think we are relatively close- well at least compared to other siblings I know. It's been a wonderful experience to see him grow up. Being five years older then him, I think I have somewhat of a good concept of all his years of life. I remember when my mom was in the hospital in labor: the waiting, the long hours, my grandma sitting next to me. What I don't remember too well but have the pictures and stories from my family to prove, is how I was infuriated that he was not a girl. I knew this ahead of time but for some reason when I saw him I grew angry. "Who would play barbies with me?", I thought. (It turns out he would play with me, just not in the manner I would have originally thought).
Growing up, I collected a number of beautiful memories surrounding my brother. Some of my favorites include:
1. Little Derek sitting on the kitchen floor taking pots and pans out of a bottom cupboard. I asked him what he was doing and he said, "I'm looking for myself."
2. Little Derek running out of the bathroom naked and trying to hide from Mom because he didn't want to take a shower.
3. Countless, and I mean countless hours of watching Telletubbies with him.
4. Trying to get semi trucks to honk their horn while signaling them with his broken arm in its bright red cast while we were on the freeway.
5. Not so little Derek wanting to let his hair grow out "skater style".
6. Waking up a couple weeks ago and being in shock of how it seemed he grew at least half an inch over night.
7. Derek going through loads of trouble to try and help me make origami paper cranes.
8. Appreciating my brother for the young man he is becoming and all the wonderful possibilities he has in front of him.

I realize I'm going on and on about my brother, but if any of you have siblings you dearly love I think you'll be able to relate. Either way, I just want to wish my brother a wonderful Happy Birthday and many, many more beautiful years of life.