March 15th, the Ides of March, a notorious day in history. But for me, it brings back happy memories of one of my favorite people. It’s my Aunt Debbie’s birthday.
Debbie is only a few years older than me so she has always been more like a sister. I have so many fond memories of her. When I was little and would go to my grandma’s Aunt Debbie would let me hang out in her room with her and her friends, listening to all their favorite records. She is the reason I am such a big fan of Elton John. (And The Eagles and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young and so many other bands.) At night, she would snuggle me up on the couch while we watched TV. We would stay up far too late, watching Hoolihan and Big Chuck. She would also tell me scary stories and scare the daylights out of me… but I loved it.
When I was a teenager and going through those awkward changes, she always found a way to make me feel less self- conscious about it. When I started my period, I was mortified. She was the one that helped me find some humor in the situation and got me to laugh about it.
I didn’t go to college right after high school and I was very scared about starting. My Aunt Debbie was my biggest cheerleader, always telling me “You can do this,” when others told me I couldn’t. She is the one that helped me fill out my first school loan papers and wouldn’t let me give in to all the negative talk from others. She is the one that calmed me down during my first finals when I didn’t think I would make it. Any time I had a problem, I could always talk to Debbie and she always found a way to make me laugh.
When she got married, she wore barrettes in her hair. She gave them to me later and said, “When you get married, you can wear these.” I kept those barrettes for years in my dresser taped together with a note. I refused to wear them; not knowing if I’d ever get married but determined I’d only wear them if I did. Sadly, when I was in the 11th grade, we moved and I lost them. I was so devastated. I cried when I told her. She said to me, “I don’t even remember those barrettes so don’t be sad about it. When you get married, we’ll think of something even better for you to wear.” Years later when I got married, she came to me and remembered that story and how sad I was. Since I couldn’t wear the barrettes, she offered me her wedding ring as my something borrowed instead.
She is a tremendous wife and mother. She and my Uncle Tim are the couple I watched while I was growing up and knew that, if I ever did get married, I wanted a marriage like theirs. I watched her raise her kids, always treating them with love and respect. I admire and love her so much. I hope you have a wonderful birthday, Aunt Debbie. Thank you for always loving me no matter what, for always being in my corner and always finding a way to make me laugh.