rachael banks

To many people’s amazement, this is not my mother. This is my Aunt Bethany and I at the Banks Family Christmas Party last Saturday. And yes, my eyes are incredibly sunken into my face, a recent development due to my declining health. I can only go up from here!

Ever since I got engaged, Bethany has been amazingly supportive and has done so much for me. People have asked how I am managing applying for graduate school, finishing my last semester of college, creating art and planning a wedding. Well, I’m not managing it all on my own. Next to Eric, Bethany has been a lifesaver. Without her help, I don’t know where I would be. I’m not lucky enough to have a mother who shows me the same love and support, but I am lucky enough to have an aunt who treats me as well as her own daughters, if not better.

P.S. Bethany has had multiple open heart surgeries. She had her first one when she was only a couple days old. She has struggled a lot with her health, but has come out successful, healthy and has two awesome daughters and is probably the only Banks woman who is not divorced and still happily married. She is a tough lady and doesn’t let anything hold her back. I would very much love to be half of who she is.