I try to make my way through the crowd of giants, searching for my sister, Cathy, and her husband, Julian. Everyone is so much taller than me and I can't see. All of these people pressing in on me only add to my nerves; I just flew on a plane by myself for the first time and it certainly provoked the anxiety that often rises inside of me. I force myself to focus on Cathy and Julian and how excited I am to see them. Cathy, my sister, my mother, my best friend. And Julian… my beautiful brother-in-law.

"Carrie!"

My eyes find the source of the cry just a little ahead of me. Jet black hair and fiery blue eyes and sensual lips and that dancer's body are all I see.

Rapidly, Julian closes the distance between us and throws his arms around me, pulling my body tightly against his. I giggle as a thrill courses through every inch of me.

"Hi there, gorgeous sister-in-law!" He presses his lips to my cheek, leaving a generous kiss there. "My, how much you grow to look like Cathy-first thing you know I won't even know the difference-so watch out! Are you positively sure the dancing life isn't for you?"

I reach my arms up to encircle his neck, still laughing. He always makes me feel pretty and normal, even though I know I'm not.

"Don't you dare call me Tinkerbelle!" I say happily. He likes to joke around about how perfect I would be to play a fairy in the ballet.

He lets go of me, both of us grinning. Something in the way he looks my whole body over sends my heart flying out of my chest.

And then I spot Cathy, just behind him. The widest smile bursts onto her face, and I feel the same happen to me. Tears sparkling in her eyes, she grabs me up in her arms. "My Carrie," she murmurs into my hair. "I've missed you more than you can imagine."

A strange sound that resembles a mix between a sob and a laugh escapes from me. "I've missed you, too."

Such overpowering joy fills me as our exchange continues that I can't help but laugh and laugh and laugh. She tells me of all the exhilarating advancements in her and Julian's dancing career and I listen attentively, enthralled. I can only hope to find such success in life when I'm older… I can only hope that God will let me become the amazing woman my sister is.

Later in our conversation, I whisper my most exciting news to her: "I don't wear a training bra anymore. I've got on a real one."

"I know," she says quietly enough that Julian won't hear. "The first thing I noticed was your bosom."

Surprised yet delighted, I say, "Really? You can see them? I didn't think they showed that much."

"Well of course they show," Julian intrudes.

I blush, embarrassed that he overheard me but also oddly elated at his comment.

"That's the first thing my eyes go for once they get past a fabulous face," he continues unabashedly. "Carrie, do you realize you have a fabulous face? I just might kick out my wife and marry you."

I giggle stupidly, not knowing what to say. He can't really mean any of that. He can't.

Cathy's blue eyes narrow suspiciously at her husband, and she links her arm through mine, leading me away from him. "Let's go find your luggage, Carrie." She covers up her perturbed expression with more enthusiasm. "I just know you're going to have the summer of your life here in New York!"