The Wedding Party: Courtney Ligon

Last but certainly not least, I will be telling y'all about my beautiful matron of honor, my sister Courtney. Courtney is nine years older than me, which used to seem like so much when we were growing up. She went from being the only child for almost eight years to gaining two little sisters in less than two years. I know that was a big adjustment for her, and I am positive Kayla and I didn't make it easy on her. When I was little, I thought Courtney was the coolest person alive. Anyone who knows me knows that I have trouble remembering a lot of things from when I was little, but one thing I definitely remember was how much I wanted to be just like Courtney. She was my role model growing up, and she was always such a great example for Kayla and me. Courtney left for college when I was in fourth grade, so sadly a lot of my memories from then until I was probably in high school don't really include Courtney. With our age difference, we lived on different planets for a long time, but fortunately we have made up for that especially in the last few years. To this day, I still think Courtney is pretty cool (sometimes 😎), and she is definitely still one of my role models. She is so driven, so classy, and so generous. She is one of the best wives and mothers I know, and I am honored to have her by my side on my own journey to becoming a wife.

Because of our age difference and very similar personalities, Courtney and I have butted heads a lot throughout the years. Our mom says that trying to argue with either one of us is like arguing with a wall. Courtney and I simply believe that we should share what is right with people instead of letting them just be wrong. Courtney is very headstrong and has very strong opinions about most things. When I was younger, that really bothered me because I didn't want to hear her opinions if they weren't similar to mine. Now that I'm older, I can appreciate her opinions more because I know we can disagree and still get along. Courtney has "mothered" me most of my life, and I know that is out of genuine love and concern for my best interest. One of my biggest worries as I got older was that Courtney and I would never develop the kind of sister relationship that Kayla and I share. I always wanted to be closer to her, but we never really shared any common ground. I distinctly remember the day Courtney and I began to have the relationship I had been wanting for so many years. Over the last three years especially, Courtney has become one of my best friends. While we still disagree and our personalities are as similar as ever, I adore the relationship we have now. The funny thing is it is  nothing like the relationship Kayla and I share, but it is equally as special and strong. I wouldn't trade our years of differences for anything in the world because they helped me to better understand Courtney and made our relationship what it is today.

My very favorite memories with Courtney started on June 22, 2014. Courtney called me about a week prior to that date and told me she was coming into town to surprise our mom for her birthday. It had been a couple months since we'd seen her, so I knew mom would be so excited and surprised. I was going to be the only one home around the time she was getting into town, so I was there waiting for her when she got there. We sat and talked for a little bit, and then she got up to go to the bathroom. When she came back, she had an envelope in her hand. I thought she was handing me an invitation to her best friend's baby shower. I started opening it, not really paying attention to what I was doing. When I opened the card, the top portion was an ultrasound, and the bottom portion said, "Will you be my Aunt Moe? Love Baby Ligon." My heart could have exploded. I dreamed of becoming an aunt for so long, and she made that dream come true. I was so eager to share in her joy with her, and I am so thankful she allowed me to do that. We have talked more in the last two and a half years than we ever have in our lives, and our relationship has blossomed because of that. I am amazed at the mother she is - she was honestly made to be a mom. Being an aunt is one of my all-time favorite things, and it has given me so many sweet memories with my sissy. My only hope is that one day I can be half the mom that my mom and Courtney are; if I can do that, I feel like I'll be doing something right.

Courtney is the most generous person I know. She would give someone her last dollar if they needed it. She is always willing to go above and beyond for the people she loves. She gives her time and energy so freely to making sure those she loves are taken care of. She is also unapologetically who she is, and I don't know many people like that. She is confident in the person God made her to be and doesn't really care about what other people think of her. That is a quality I admire so much in her. She takes pride in her job as a wife and mother. Even when she doesn't feel like she's doing enough, the fruits of her labor can be seen in the happiness of her hubs and sweet girl and the quality of life she has made for herself. I could go on and on about the impact her dedication to her family has made on me. I am so proud of her and want her to know that her hard work doesn't go unnoticed. She is something truly special, and I am honored to call her my sister.

  

Courtney hasn't been able to spend as much time with Al as the rest of my family has. Their relationship is still growing, and that is really important to me. Al knew Courtney wouldn't be able to physically be there on the day he proposed, so one day he FaceTimed her while he was at the park so she could see where it would be taking place. Courtney told me that it was pouring rain that day, but he still wanted to show her, which is so precious to me. Courtney was able to be there through FaceTime that afternoon, and it made me smile so big to see her sweet face through the phone. Throughout the planning process so far, Courtney has been my biggest help. She has given me the best ideas and really taken into consideration what I want. She is very practical, which is exactly what I need because I can be a little impractical from time to time. I have loved every minute of getting to plan our big day with her, and it means so much to me that she wants to be so involved. I really hit the jackpot in the maid/matron of honor department. I am so excited to see all that they have planned for me during this special time in my life. I couldn't ask for a better sister or matron of honor than Court.

Courtney, you are so many things that I hope to be someday. I genuinely think you are one-of-a-kind, and you offer the world so much of what it needs to be a better place. You carry yourself with so much grace and class, and anyone who knows you is a better person because of it. I admire who you are as a wife and a mother, and I could never thank you enough for the influence you have on my life. I love that our relationship is always evolving, and I know without a doubt that you are one person I can always count on. Thank you for always being my big sister, second mom, and sweet friend all in one. Your title in my wedding might have the word "honor" in it, but I am truly the one who is honored to have you by my side. I love you more than I will ever be able to tell you.