hello from honduras: 7670 days with my best friends.

From about the age of 4 until I was 9 or 10, I thought that I was supposed to be an only child (or at least not one in a set of quadruplets. Siblings yes, but one in a set of four…nope.) As long as I can remember I have hated any attention on me in public places. This happens quite a lot when you are a quadruplet, and especially when your family does commercials (not the Hollywood type, just a local insurance company.) I can remember from a young age people staring at us when we would go grocery shopping, people stopping us and asking my mom questions about us, and even people coming up to us saying how cute we were and that they loved watching us (this is no longer happens today haha.) When things like this would happen I would hide behind my mother while Mary Elizabeth and Caitlin would smile and even carry on conversations with complete strangers. They were meant to be quadruplets not me. I also really struggled growing up with wanting to be independent. When we were younger it was easier I guess for people to say the Haynes Quadruplets or the Alfa Quads. Rarely did people (except for family) address us by our first names, or as individuals. I did not like this at all. I remember telling my mother that I did not want to be know as I quadruplet, I wanted to be known as Sarah. I also wanted to be different than my siblings. I loved that I was the only one to have blonde hair when we were young and the only one with green eyes and while everyone got rollerblades, I decided I wanted roller skates instead. Through this stage in my life my mother always told me that I was so blessed to be a quadruplet and that one day I would realize that. I would say it was in fourth grade that my attitude about being a quadruplet changed dramatically. In fourth grade we moved schools. It was driving to school the first day, when I realized how thankful I was not to be alone. I was nervous and it was so comforting knowing I had my three best friends with me and I have had them with me ever since.

I honestly cannot put into words how thankful I am to have Will, Caitlin and Mary Elizabeth as siblings. It is with these three that I have experienced twenty-one years full of adventures and laughter. It is my siblings (Anna Lee included) who have put up with my dramatic self for 21 years, and have accepted and loved me despite all my quirks. It is my siblings that have always had my back, and when I experienced my first taste of heartbreak cried with me and listen to me talk for hours. It is my siblings who know everything about me, my hopes, dreams and fears. We have experienced everything together and always been there for each other. I now can clearly see just how fortunate I am to be a quadruplet and I would not have it any other way. So HAPPY BIRTHDAY Caitlin, Mary Elizabeth and Will! I love you all so much and I cannot wait to spend another 21 years with ya!

-warning: there are a lot of pictures.