Today is Charlotte's 24th birthday! To celebrate, here are 24 things that you may or may not know about her:
1. Charlotte is extremely disciplined. When it's time to wake up, she is out of bed, something that I find very admirable. She is punctual and always well-planned.
2. Charlotte used to have a voice that sounded like a chipmunk. She also has always been a fast talker. This combination made her sound like a cassette tape on rewind.
3. Charlotte won the spelling bee in fifth grade with the word Freudian. (It's fun to picture Charlotte spelling this in her chipmunk voice wearing her big glasses and one of the many cute dresses Mom made for us in elementary school.)
4. Charlotte loves loves loves reading. She read all of The Lord of the Rings in fifth grade and could read an entire Nancy Drew in one afternoon. She never goes anywhere without a book and reads at breakneck speed.
5. Charlotte is named after our maternal grandmother Charlotte Jane Hunter Petersen, and she emulates her in beauty, intelligence, baking prowess, and faith so admirably.
6. Charlotte is becoming less of a picky eater. When she tried home canned peaches one time, all she could say was "it didn't make me gag." In her adulthood, she has expanded her culinary horizons to Thai food! That's a very big step, and we're all so proud.
7. Charlotte knows everything about Harry Potter and Gilmore Girls. We often text each other trivia from both series, and she has only missed a question once. She owns all seven seasons of Gilmore Girls, a magic wand, and she has read and listened to all seven HP books countless times.
8. Charlotte is a die hard grammarian. When we're waiting in airports, I ask her to teach me a new grammar rule. I'll never forget the subjunctive lesson of Christmas '09. She uses her skills to selflessly help others. She edits papers for me and our brother John, and she transcribed eight hours of interviews with our Grandma Charlotte and put them into a book.
9. Charlotte is a mostly self-taught seamstress. In the last six months, she has already moved up to making dresses and other garments. She's well on her way to being the next Denise Wood.
10. Charlotte gave up her private violin lessons when the family was having financial difficulties. She kept up with school orchestras and still plays beautifully. In high school, we were in a string quartet together with two of our friends. We were the Harmonious Ponies and our signature pieces were "The Harmonious Blacksmith" and the "Pony Polka."
11. Charlotte has received almost all straight A's throughout her entire education.
12. Charlotte has a terrific shoe collection. She loves high heels and wears them with style.
13. Charlotte hit a pedestrian with her car in high school and endures endless teasing about it. Like right now. The girl was fine, or else we wouldn't laugh about it now.
14. Up until a recent unfortunate experience with old leftovers, Charlotte loved Kraft Mac n' Cheese. She made it for me a lot when we were in Provo together. She also would make me real food, like Parmesan chicken and banana chocolate chip bars.
15. Charlotte cares about the homeless population of Portland. She has shared bananas from her lunch, coffee from her work, and other gestures of compassion with many people in sad circumstances.
16. Charlotte inherited a love of dry cereal from our Dad. She can eat Corn Flakes and Rice Krispies multiple times a day and never tire. Her treat cereal of choice of Fruit Loops.
17. Charlotte has been to both Disney Land and Disney World. She is the only Wood sibling to visit any Disney establishment other than the Disney store at the mall.
18. Whenever we have family dinner at our grandparents' house, Charlotte does the dishes and cleans the kitchen.
19. Charlotte just cut her hair after years of having long hair. I can only remember one other time in her life when she's cut her hair short. I'm very proud of her for taking the leap, and it looks great!
20. Charlotte is a great cook and baker and it adventurous with trying new recipes and techniques. She won over her husband Josh with her meatloaf.
21. Charlotte has worn glasses since early childhood and would love to have Lasik surgery.
22. Charlotte is really good at dancing really poorly. Josh will leave the room is she starts, but she doesn't mind because I'll always stay with her and come up with more and more ridiculous moves.
23. Charlotte is married to an awesome man. The last year of getting ready for her wedding and welcoming Josh into our family has been so great for our family.
24. Charlotte is and always has been my Number One, the best friend I will ever have. I can't remember a time in my life when I haven't looked up to her. She epitomizes supportive and loving sisterhood. I love her and am so excited that today is her day!
