Being the oldest sibling has its perks and its downfalls. I was lectured my whole life growing up to "be the example" for my little brothers. Because of this, my parents were eager to be harder on me, like all first-timer parents. But it's OK, now I thank them for it. Growing up it was difficult to accept the role but looking back, it was a fun role to fill. For example, being able to manipulate my younger siblings into doing things for me. This was one of the better parts. Another bonus of being the oldest was being the fastest and strongest when playing games. And if you had younger brothers, like me, this all changes one day and you look back and treasure those distant memories. That's one, out of the many, weird things about growing up. When you grow older, your younger siblings do to.
My youngest brother turns 15 this Thursday and I swear he was just 12. Being the youngest child he got away with a lot like younger siblings always do. As a toddler he had his cute chubby cheeks, sausage fingers and gold curly hair. Now, he is going to be a freshman next year, obsessed with Pokémon Go and wants a samurai sword for his birthday. Weirdo? I know. He is a total wilderness man. So much so that my entire family jokes about how we are all going to live with him when the apocalypse comes. Although he is just 14, his survival skills are majestic. He is taller than me now, but this doesn't stop me from visualizing that tiny boy when I see him.
And on to the real deal shocker, my 17-year-old brother is going to be a senior this year. Talking to him about college gives me the chills. This can't be real? Growing up, we were the closest in age so this was the one I played all those imaginary games with, watched Pixar movies with and slept with when I got scared. Now he has a full beard and bicep muscles almost as big as my skull. He is a three-year varsity letterman in Football and is a plain genius when it comes to math, unlike me. And yes, he is also obsessed with Pokémon Go. We are opposites when it comes to a lot, but there is no one I really respect more.
Sharing a childhood with siblings was such a great joy in my life and what is even better, I have them for the rest of it. My siblings and I have shared some of the silliest memories and had each other's backs through the good times and bad. Thank you to my younger siblings for the memories, support and friendship. Even though they are younger than me, I have grown to idolize them in so many ways. I am super blessed I have two great brothers to go through life with.
Having siblings to share life with is one of its biggest perks, but to my special siblings ... Thank you for being you. I would not want to be an older sister to anyone else. Ya'll made being "the example" so easy by being the great young men you both are becoming. I LOVE ya'll so much and could not be more prouder of the both of you.
