My girls.

From our 20 week ultrasound on, when I found out our third child was to be a girl, I spent time daydreaming of the spectacular sisterhood that was about to ensue.

As I have mentioned before, I have three brothers. Zero sisters. Mike has three sisters. Zero brothers. Neither of us have experienced a same gender bond between siblings, it was such a foreign concept to both of us.

When Charlotte was born, one of my many things I grieved was the magical sister relationship I had planned for my girls. I remember Mike saying to me one night, not long after Charlotte was born, how sad he was for Katherine. How she was so excited for Charlotte's arrival and to have a little sister, and now that little sister was not who we expected. At that time, I agreed.

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Three and a half years later, things have changed. I have blogged about Katherine & Charlotte's relationship a few times through the years, and will continue to do so. I like looking back and seeing how it evolves, and how a lot of the initial grief that gripped us was unnecessary.

Last weekend I spent the day with just my girls. They got haircuts, and we went to Charlotte's favorite place (probably because it is the only restaurant she can actually eat at?!!) for lunch.

Katherine finally worked up the nerve to get her ears pierced, and the three of us experienced this rite of passage for her together. Katherine gripped my hand tightly, and Charlotte sat at my feet hugging the teddy bear usually reserved for the girl getting her ears pierced...Katherine told Charlotte it was okay that she held it. Katherine asked me if Charlotte would want her ears pierced some day. I told her I wasn't sure, but I wouldn't be surprised if she did, as Charlotte looks up to Katherine and likes to do what she does.

We stopped at Target and picked out Valentines for the girl's classmates. Charlotte sat and sighed loudly while we waited for Katherine to finish trying on some new clothes she wanted. When we finally finished in the dressing room and were able to check out, we headed to our last stop; to see "Frozen" the singalong version. The girls had already seen the movie with Mike, but it was the first time for me.

Charlotte laid in my lap for most of the movie, pretty tired from our big day. Katherine next to me sang every word to every song. I spent a lot of time during the movie (which ironically is about two sisters) being thankful for my daughters and our day we had spent together. I also spent a lot of time thinking about how normal it was, and how it was very similar to those daydreams I had during my pregnancy with Charlotte.

My daughters. My girls. Sisters. How lucky I am, and how lucky are they to have each other.