Dear Future Brother-in-Law...

   This post is an early birthday gift to my twin sister Heather, and one day it will be a wedding gift to her very lucky husband...


Dear Future Brother-in-Law,

    I've been expecting you. If you're reading this, then you've been selected for the grand prize, and it's got a lifetime warranty. You are now the proud owner of my sister's heart, and soon you'll be united as man and wife. Now before you claim your prize, I figured that the person who knows her best (that would be me!) should give you a few words of wisdom. Think of it as your instruction manual for all things Heather. Feel free to use this as a reference and come back to me if you need more advice. Here we go...

   First off, let me be the first to remind you that you are without a doubt the luckiest guy on the planet right now. You're gaining an amazing wife and joining a wonderful family (not to mention you're getting the world's best sister-in-law!) You're about to have a fantastic wedding, which I'm sure Heather will make into the event of the century, and one day you'll be blessed with beautiful children. With a catch like Heather, you're pretty much set for forever (no rhyme intended), and if you're anything like me that means you have many years of constantly being cared for ahead of you. Needless to say, this is the happiest time of your life, and I know it's the happiest time of hers. She has waited for you and prayed for every aspect of your life, that you would be a hard worker, a good daddy to her children, and most importantly that you would share her passion for the Lord. (She also wanted you to love music like she does and to be easy on the eyes, which I'm sure you've got covered.) Even as I'm writing this, she loves you with all her heart,  though she sometimes wonders if you'll ever make an appearance. I don't know if she'll change any before you meet her, if the Heather I know now is different than the one you'll know in the future, but I do know for sure that no matter what, she'll be an incredible person. And if you're good enough to meet her standards, you're probably pretty incredible, too. As Heather's husband, you've landed the gig of your life (see what I did with the music pun?) She's probably written a million songs about you, and if you can carry a tune you'll definitely be singing with her. But even if you have a little stage fright it'll be well worth it to have her as your singing partner. You'll be like Troy and Gabriella (extra points with the sister-in-law if you know High School Musical!)

    As with all great prizes, there are a few precautions you'll have to take. I'm sure you know this by now, but deep inside the tiny little body of your bride-to-be is a ball of fire and passion that, if ignited, will spew like a volcano. No matter what happens, remember that the source of that passion is intense love and caring for everything she does. She's one of those rare people who wholeheartedly throws herself into the simplest of tasks, who just cares so much about every little thing that sometimes she has built-up stress that has to come out. As her husband, you are to be the spiritual leader of your family, and I have confidence that you will calm her fears and provide her with peace better than anyone but God Himself. Know that even though she can be a handful at times, the intensity of her love for you will be like nothing you've ever experienced. Never forget to tell her you love her, and hold her close to you to quiet her spirit when she feels stressed. And when you argue, never let a day go by without letting go of your anger. Because take it from me, no matter how many times she says, "I'm never talking to you again," she always gets over it in five minutes or less. Like I said before, she already loves you now, so imagine how much she will when she actually knows who you are. I can't stress this enough: you, my future friend, are an incredibly lucky man! Remember it every day of your life.

    The last thing I have to say is this: please take care of her because she's my favorite person ever and I want her to be happy more than anything else in the world. As her twin, I've prepared her for you by being a constant companion. In a way, I guess you could say I'm the "other man". Many of Heather's first Cinderella moments happened long ago in our room when we played princess and I slow danced with her as her dashing prince ("because the prince is always taller than the princess, Hope!") Yep, I've done my part over the years, mostly by testing her patience, to ensure that she is the best wife you could ever dream of (you can thank me later.) And now, she is yours and you are hers and you're both going to live happily ever after. Enjoy your grand prize and thank God for her every day. Love you like a brother (in-law!)
Your favorite sister Hope

(P.S; Keep in mind that we'll be spending a lot of time together. In other words, you hurt her, I'll hurt you :) But I'm sure we'll be the best of friends!)