On October 11, 2003 my life was forever changed, and I was not really sure how I felt about it. Jack Henry graced us with his presence on this day and deemed me the "oldest" and the "big sister". I was given a best friend and an enemy all in one little package. I'm guessing that little package was just not enough, so three years and one day later Judd Miles entered this world and made me a big sister yet again.
Being the oldest comes with many challenges that make the job difficult at times. For example, being the oldest means that you get blamed for everything and anything. The fingers will always end up being pointed at you. It's an adjustment at first, but you get used to it.
Another example would be that you were the guinea pig of the family, and your parents will be ten times more strict on you than on your siblings. They wanted you to turn out 100% perfect, but by the time they get to kid number three, the parent mindset slowly diminishes.
Sometimes I got caught up in the "being bossy" part of the oldest sibling job and would be quickly reminded by the boys that I was in fact NOT the boss. My maternal instincts and tendencies definitely take over sometimes.
Being the oldest also comes with the unexpected urge to be overly protective. The thought of somebody messing with Jack or Judd gets me more heated than just about anything. Also, catching them in an attempt to do something dangerous can light a fire in me like you would not believe.
I have learned that I am a role model. Whether I wanted to be or not, I am. They look up to me in ways that I will probably never understand (given I don't have an older sibling). I have also learned that my opinion matters most to them.
If one of them gets new clothes, or a new haircut, or anything, they normally show me first, and if I don't like what they show me, I will tell them. They will blow it off and pretend they don't care, but I know they do.
It is really cool and weird watching us all get older and seeing the types of young men they are developing into. Though the fact that Jack will be a freshman in high school and will be driving in the fall makes me a little sick to my stomach.
Mainly because it makes me feel incredibly old. Judd will be 12 and in middle school in the fall. That feels even weirder.
Being Jack and Judd's sister has been the most rewarding job I will ever have. Yes, we fight. Yes, we sometimes can get a little brutal with our words towards each other. Yes, one time I took Jack's phone and made him so mad he took a wiffleball bat to the door of the bathroom I locked myself in.
But, we do love each other. I asked Jack just out of curiosity what he liked most about me being his sister and he said, "Probably how supportive you are." I didn't realize how important the relationship siblings have until he said that. So, thank you, mom and dad, for creating three of the coolest humans on the planet!
