10 Things I’ve Learned From My Big Sis
While today is the last day of the Hip2Save 10 Day Birthday Celebration, we have another very special birthday to celebrate today — my sister, Bryn’s 🎂! Yep, today – June 29th is her birthday! 🎉
She has been part of Hip2Save since almost the very beginning and she’s had a major impact on the site. Even more so, she’s played such a huge role in my life and helped to shape the person I am today. She is wise beyond her years, so I wanted to take a moment to list out 10 important things I’ve learned from my big sister, Bryn.
1. How to nurture my kids in the most loving way possible.
I’ve long admired Bryn’s style of mothering. She makes sure to show her kids how much she loves them with simple yet meaningful actions, like hugs, back rubs, and encouraging words. She listens, she plays, and she laughs with them… she truly soaks it all in and doesn’t take motherhood for granted. ❤ Her three kids are so blessed to have her in their lives, and I’m so grateful to have learned from her about being the best mom I can be.
A Mother’s love will never end. It is there from beginning to end.
2. That it’s OK to relax and disconnect.
I never knew reading could be so fun until I took note from Bryn. As hard of a worker as she is, she also knows the importance of taking time for herself and disconnecting — her favorite relaxation method is reading! She’s always sharing her latest reads with the team, like Neanderthal Seeks Human and Girl Wash Your Face — she seriously has the BEST book recommendations!
I do believe something very magical can happen when you read a book. – J.K. Rowling
3. The importance of being present.
Whether she’s busy at work or taking time disconnecting, Bryn always makes a conscious effort to be present no matter the situation. So many of us (myself included) are constantly checking our phones and social media, while Bryn has chosen NOT to have a Facebook or Instagram account. She lives in the moment without distraction which to me is incredibly admirable.
Yesterday’s the past, tomorrow’s the future, but today is a gift. That’s why it’s called the present. -Bil Keane
4. That compassion is a verb.
Bryn has so much compassion for those around her. She is one of the most caring people I know, and I’ve learned so much from her when it comes to being a support system for others. She’s taught me that compassion is something we all truly need to receive and give.
Compassion is to look beyond your own pain, to see the pain of others. -Yasmin Mogahed
5. Why having passion, drive, and perseverance is so important.
If you ever need a kick in the butt, Bryn is your girl! She is one of the most hardworking and driven people I know, and she does it all with enthusiasm 😄. Bryn also exudes perseverance – she doesn’t give up and has the persistence and tenacity to achieve all the goals she makes for herself. And she does it all with a passion that is contagious. 🙌
Passion equals drive, drive equals determination, and enough determination equals success. – Anette Sandberg
6. How to laugh… like REALLY laugh.
There’s nothing like the moment when you laugh so hard that you’re either in tears or starting to pee your pants. And Bryn has no problem if either of those things happen! Boy, have we laughed! Bryn has sure taught me that laughter is truly the best medicine.
Life is better when you’re laughing.
7. That it’s hip and cool to save money in unconventional ways.
Bryn is a queen at saving money in not so obvious areas. Sure, the coupons and deals are a great place to start, but she takes it a step further — like when she reached out to her cable and internet provider to reduce her annual cost and saved herself $600 😮, or when she monitored her rental car reservation daily to watch for price drops. She’s like a money saving ninja! 🙌
A penny saved is a penny earned. – Benjamin Franklin
8. How to be effortlessly beautiful.
Being a minimalist at heart, Bryn has a pretty laid back beauty routine — it’s almost non existent! She often has NO mascara or even foundation on, yet she still looks absolutely flawless and totally rocks it. I think there’s truth in the saying, “the happiest people are the prettiest people” and Bryn is living proof!
The best makeup is your smile. There is no beauty like the one that comes from inside of you.
9. How to enjoy the good stuff in life with no guilt.
Bryn lives life to the fullest without regret, like when she eats way too many chocolate covered almonds and has zero guilt about it. I think that not only myself, but everyone else in this world, could take a lesson from her in that.
Enjoy life, eat well, laugh often, love much.
10. What it means to really be loyal.
Oh how Bryn has taught me so much about the true meaning of loyalty. She is fiercely loyal and has always been such a strong support for me through both the really rough times as well as the awesome times. No matter where life takes us, I know she’ll always be by my side cheering me on.
This description of loyalty so defines Bryn:
Standing by the people and the things you love, even in the darkest times because you’re willing to brave the dark shadows and the monsters in darkness, and even in the greatest of times, because you’re not afraid to let them shine with an intensity so bright, it scorches the ground they walk on.
Happy birthday, Bryn!
I don’t know where I’d be without you. Thank you for being the most amazing sister anyone could ask for. I love you with all my heart 💕!
Beautiful! Happy Birthday, Bryn! 🎈🎉🎈
Thanks, Tina! Collin and the team hid this post from me until it went live – best birthday gift ever!
What a great birthday aka super hero tribute. Thanks for sharing and caring.
I feel so blessed, Karen!
This is precious!
happy birthday Bryn!
Thanks, Lori!
Love this…Happy Birthday Bryn
Thanks, Dee!
Happy Birthday Bryn! I know you’re smiling on the inside and outside reading this because I sure am! Collin is so fortunate to have you as her sister (and vice-versa!)
Thanks, Bunny! And yes, I have a giant smile plastered on my face!
Such a sweet sister relationship! Happy Birthday Bryn !
Thanks, Cathy!
Absolutely Beautiful! There’s nothing like a sister’s love!
So true! Cannot imagine life without my sisters!
Wow, Bryn! Can you be my big sister too? Happy birthday!
Happy Birthday Bryn!!!
What a sweet tribute to an incredible person! I admire the connection and friendship you two have. It shows how loving and loyal you are. Happy birthday, Bryn!
Shining example of a great sibling relationship! Happy Birthday Bryn
Give Bryn a hug from me. I did not have any sisters, but I had a wonderful, loving LOYAL brother. He was also born on June 29th. Heartbreakingly, he got brain cancer shortly after his 50th birthday. He was such a good guy. He is with GOD now and VERY missed!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRYN & HIP2SAVE!!!
Big hug to you Muquee. And happy birthday to your brother, may he continue to R.I.P.🌺
Sisters are the best!😊 Happy Birthday Bryn!🎉
Happy Birthday Bryn!!! Have a great day and enjoy some cake and ice cream.
You’re a truly remarkable person and well deserving of this beautiful tribute. I love the bond you all share. Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday, Bryn! Sisters are the best! Lucky me I have 2!
Happy Birthday , Bryn!!
This was extremely sweet to read..happy birthday!!
These are the best type of birthday presents. Your sister telling you how amazing you are in so many ways. You both sound so loving and very close. You are truly blessed. Happy Birthday Byrn!
Great post! Beautiful sisters…Happy birthday, Byrn!
Awwww… I want a Brynn! (-: Happy birthday Brynn!
Omg! I love that sign “I laughed so hard tears ran down my leg” 😂 Happy Birthday!!
Isn’t it the best?! 🤣
Such a beautiful post… Happy Birthday, Bryn!
What a wonderful birthday gift, expressing things that often go unsaid. Happy Birthday, Bryn!
happy birthday Bryn ❤💙💚💛💜💖💕💗💝💟💞🎂🎈🎆🎇🎊🎉🎁☕🍵🍰🍀🌈🌼🌻🌹🌸🌞🌝🌈
Awwwww so sweet! I totally understand I don’t know how I would have ever made it without my sisters! 🙂
Aww, I’m jealous, I want a sister!!! Happy birthday Bryn!
me too!!!! that was such a sweet post!
Very lovely..HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Thank you for sharing your beautiful message about your sister and family.
Tears again (but not down my leg)! Birthday Blessings, Bryn!
😘
Happy birthday Bryn 🎂🎁🎉💃.
Sisters are the best, I thank God for my sisters, they are always there for me through thick and thin. 🌺
Happy birthday beautiful lady! Hope your birthday is totally awesome!
Happy Birthday Bryn! I know what Collin means when she speaks about you because I have a sister that could be your twin. We are both so lucky to have each other in our lives. We live across country from each other but you would never guess because we are always on our tablets with a video chat. Cheers to all those great sisters out there!
Awwww… SO sweet! ❤️
so sweet !!!!!
😭😭😭😭❤️❤️❤️❤️
Great pix of your family………….lasting lessons from Bryn….😆👤👏
HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!!!! Such a sweet post ,..
What beautiful and sincere words of love- Happy Birthday Bryn! Blessings to you for many more! <3
Very sweet! Agree she’s definitely naturally beautiful!
Happiest Birthday Bryn! God bless you more! You are a lovely person & Collin is sure blessed to have you as a sister.
Thank you for sharing. You all are truly blessed.
What an absolutely beautiful post! I hope your birthday was as special as you!!!! Happy Belated Birthday!