It was one of those what-have-you-done-with-my-sister moments.

“I’ve started calling this weekend ‘Jennypalooza,’” I told Jenny, as the umpteenth preparations were made and remade and finessed a little more, in honor of her Birthday Weekend.

“Good!” she replied.

GOOD?! Jenny, the little sister who shirks from attention? Who was too embarrassed to take the flowers I held out to her at her eighth grade graduation? Who never wants bright toenail polish, let alone a party? The most subtle (but tasteful!) accessorizer ever?

Turns out, she didn’t want the party. And she chose gray polish when we got pedicures on Saturday. But we did have a bit of a palooza, in honor of her 40th this weekend. It’s easy to be festive when you are surrounded by kids, and we were — three of hers and two of mine. And it helps when all the kids are in love. There were loud sobs on both ends when we finally peeled the cousins away from one another tonight. I was sad, too. I always am when she heads back to Denver.

We weren’t always the best of friends, not at all like Annabelle and Sophie. Those two have a game they call Sister Foot Love, while the closest Jenny and I ever came to even touching was a good, old-fashioned Foot Fight on the couch. (She always won.)

Offspring brought us together and they’ve kept us that way, even though we live in different cities and are very different people. And yet I’m pretty sure we smell alike. (I’m not certain, as I’m not one to lean in for a deep whiff.)

She started the family tradition of making lists of things we love about someone celebrating a milestone. I look at my list of 40 Things We Love About Aunt Amy all the time — it’s tucked into my windowsill at work, right above the phone.

Finally, it was time for our family to sit down and create a list for Jenny. We could have gone on and on.

Happy Birthday, Jenny! You are the best mother, sister and friend ever, even if mom did tell me that sounded too much like a eulogy to engrave on the inside of a bracelet.

40 Things We Love About Aunt Jenny
1. Aunt Jenny watched Sesame Street til she was 11.
2. Aunt Jenny has a huge smile.
3. Aunt Jenny used to hate bananas but now she likes them.
4. Aunt Jenny used to hate pedicures but now she likes them.
5. Aunt Jenny did Outward Bound.
6. Aunt Jenny ate Mommy’s chocolate Easter egg.
7. Aunt Jenny and Mommy are happy together.
8. Aunt Jenny is special to Mommy because she’s her sister.
9. Aunt Jenny is not afraid to work in a hospital.
10. Aunt Jenny likes clogs AND cowboy boots.
11. Aunt Jenny makes piles.
12. Aunt Jenny is cute.
13. Aunt Jenny and Annabelle have the same handwriting.
14. Aunt Jenny always packs snacks.
15. Aunt Jenny runs a lot.
16. Aunt Jenny wants glasses but doesn’t need them.
17. Aunt Jenny got lost on her way to the bathroom when she was 3.
18. Aunt Jenny spent a lot of time in the bathroom in college.
19. Aunt Jenny has naturally wavy hair.
20. Aunt Jenny once put her hair in curlers and cut them out. She was 3.
21. Aunt Jenny likes ice cream with stuff in it.
22. Aunt Jenny likes Uncle Jonathan.
23. Aunt Jenny likes James Taylor, Neil Diamond and Dan Zanes.
24. Aunt Jenny ‘s a sweetie pie.
25. Aunt Jenny always comes to the rescue.
26. Aunt Jenny used to suck her finger and hold her ear.
27. Aunt Jenny doesn’t mind a messy car.
28. Aunt Jenny is handsome.
29. Aunt Jenny is pretty.
30. Aunt Jenny likes Diet Coke.
31. Aunt Jenny is brave.
32. Aunt Jenny had a lot of fun when she lived in New Orleans.
33. Aunt Jenny had a lot of fun when she went to Europe.
34. Aunt Jenny is the best mom ever.
35. Aunt Jenny does not care for fish.
36. Aunt Jenny walks just like Papa.
37. Aunt Jenny enjoys an occasional cocktail.
38. Aunt Jenny has the best-stocked pantry we’ve ever seen.
39. Aunt Jenny has ridden on a float in at least one parade.
40. Aunt Jenny makes good kids.