happy + birthday: Bert

On May 14th, my favorite next sibling, Brittany, turned the infamous 21 years old. Quite a landmark for this raven-haired, exotic beauty! Brittany and I are 3 years apart in age. She was always my human baby doll when we were little and my best friend and sidekick.

• Brittany was a beautiful baby. She looked like a china doll or miniature Snow White. Mounds of dark thick hair framed her round face. Rosy, chubby cheeks complemented her porcelain skin and big, bright eyes. She was adorable. (still is.)
• Brittany is a lover...and a fighter. She would do anything I said usually, even to the point of playing "Barber Shop" and actually snipping off some of her hair with scissors then stuffing it under the couch so mom wouldn't find out. (it didn't work. mom found it. saw Brittany's hair. screamed. big trouble for muah.) And then there were the times that Brittany released her inner Godzilla. I screamed. One time in particular is captured on home video. Brittany was maybe 3 or 4 years old. She started singing a song for the camera. I chimed in ever so quietly. Brittany stopped and yelled into my face, "You're messing me up!!!" She'd stomp her foot and give me a warning shove. I learned my lesson early on that Brittany's fuse is about 1 millimeter long. ( One time I told her I loooved cheese. She said back, "Well I haaate cheese." She didn't eat it for the next several years! Apparently, we had a love/hate relationship.)
• Brittany is passionate. With that short fuse comes a deep passion and love for things. She loves animals. She swam with dolphins at SeaWorld. She's a daredevil. She is going skydiving this Summer in Hawaii. She loves medicine and taking care of people. She volunteered at Madison Memorial Hospital this past semester. She loves her Twilight. A poster of Edward Cullen hangs above her bed. She loves many things, has many friends, and is a wonderfully fun and sporatic sister. 
• Brittany is beautiful. So beautiful in fact, that many people can't quite pinpoint her looks. Haha. Literally. Countless people have come up to her and asked, "So what are you?" or "What's your other half?" People have asked if she's Asian, Egyptian, Middle Eastern, etc. Usually Bert's response is, "Just white." haha. But she does have dark features: dark eyes, dark hair, tan skin. She's just our little exotic beauty. 
• Brittany is witty. She is so quick with snappy come-backs and always knows the perfect time to quote a movie line for the applicable situation. I'll never forget when she was begging me to get her some ice water. I said no. She then yelled, "Give me some water Peck!" (Willow.) We laughed and laughed. She is such a cunning and witty child. 
• Brittany is stylish. She loves dark nail polish and bright colored tees. She has a great shape with long legs. She's a little fashionista and very particular about the things she buys and shops for. She is probably the worst person in the world to go shopping with. I say that lovingly. But she gets irritated fast if the choices don't meet her standards or we suggest things to her. She's a loner-shopper. And that works for her. :)
• Brittany's nicknames: Bert, Brittanica, Sweet Pea, Bert-Alert.
• Brittany is hilarious and always has a good awkward story to tell. Our ward had a talent show when Bert was about 6 maybe. During the acts, they would have kids from the audience come up and tell a joke. Sweet, little Brittany raises her hand and is called up to the stage. She starts, "There was this Mexican..." Keep in mind, our ward also was also partnered with the Spanish Branch. So Brittany tells this super racist joke to the whole ward and Spanish Branch. It was DEAD SILENT. My parents were absolutely mortified. It was hilarious. Another story: Just yesterday, before Bert came over, she stopped at a friends apartment. On the way up the stairs she trips and falls right in front of the open apartment door, filled with people. She gets up, bloody scraped knees and all and just laughs it off. Who scrapes their knees at college? Who falls going UP the stairs?! (Actually, it runs in the family. I tripped going up the stairs once.) So many stories, so little time. 

Brittany is a kind sister. Though she may be feisty, she'll always be feisty in your defense. Brittany sticks up for those she loves and is a good protector. She is funny, silly, beautiful and a perfect sister who I always have so much fun with. She is in such an exciting part of life and I am always anxious to see what she does next. She is incredibly intelligent and studies harder than anyone I know. Her whacky and fun personality makes her intriguing and spontaneous. Lucky is the guy who captures my sister's heart. I love you Brittany. Thank you for always being my babydoll and friend. Happy Birthday to an incredible girl!!! Mudface!!!