When I was 3, I learned our family was going to expand by one. Things were going to be different, and I wouldn’t be the only light of our parents' life anymore. Did I care? At that point, no. I was happy; I would have my own built-in best friend!
When I was 4, I realized you weren’t very much fun. You lay on the floor and cried, threw up every once in a while, and pretty much entertained yourself. Where the heck was the best friend I was basically promised?
When I was 7, there were now three of us. Nothing really changed, and even though you threw a rock at me that one time, accidentally hit me with a golf club, and threw your sippy cup at me, I didn’t want to spend my time with anyone else.
When I was 9, well, I’ll just say I’m sorry for that one time I put you in a dress… and forced you into letting me paint your nails.
When I was 13, I told you I hated you, and I told you I didn’t want to play with you. I told you that you were annoying, and I told you to go away. I thought that I meant it when I said it, but truth is I didn’t.
When I was 16, I was out of that phase of my life and I realized how dumb I really was. Why was I ever so eager to push the two closest people to me out of my life? I wanted nothing more than to drive you places, spend money on ice cream for you, go on adventures outside, and do everything that siblings do best together.
When I was 16, you realized that too when you sat with me in the hallway when I cried after I got in a fight with my friend
Now at 19, I learned the hard way that being separated from your siblings legitimately sucks. Why I ever wished that, I couldn’t tell you. I want you to know that just because I leave the house for months at a time, doesn’t mean I’m leaving you.
Watching you grow up has been one of the best experiences of my life. I’m so happy I got to spend all those years with the ones I’ve laughed, cried, and fought the most with. I wouldn’t change it for the world.
Every time we would fight when we were younger, Mom would tell us that one day, we were just going to have each other. I am blessed to know that I am stuck with my brothers.
