In my household, I am the second born child and am sandwiched between two boys, one being ten years older while the other was sixteen months younger than me. Growing up with them was interesting and entertaining, even scary at times. I learned many lessons growing up as the only female child:
1. Your toys are still fair game.
There was one day I remember going upstairs, where my older and I both had our rooms, and seeing something in the doorway to the bathroom. When I walked closer I realized it was the head to one of my Barbie’s…I was traumatized. My poor sweet Barbie was ripped apart and crammed under a door to prop it open. That wasn’t the only time I found my dolls in a different physical state than when I had left them. Occasionally I would pick up a Barbie to see the hands had been chewed on, making them pancake like.
2. Always be prepared.
In our household someone was always standing around a corner or behind a door to jump out to scare you, my older brother being the one behind it most of the time. You would have to carefully peak around the corners and make sure the coast was clear before you could take that breathe of relief…which never lasted long since most of the time he was just hiding somewhere else waiting to jump at you. Sometimes there would be injuries during these scare-a-thons, whether it was from falling over something or being injured by the other person during the scare.
3. There is always someone willing to play video games.
I was a strange little girl, I was actually interested in playing Call of Duty and those types of video games that were typically categorized for boys. On a normal afternoon my brothers and I would usually be found playing Call of Duty in my older brother’s room after school, yelling at the screen or trying to distract the others so that you could get ahead. Another favorite game for us was Dance Dance Revolution...which felt as if there was an earthquake occurring since my oldest brother is a six foot four giant who shakes the entire house just walking around normally. One of the songs that could normally be heard was Sandstorm, the one where my brother would dance as hard as he could during.
4. There friends are always around.
Many would think that this would be a down side, but I thought it was one of the best things in the world. A lot of my older brother’s friends have been around our family for a long time now, making them a part of the family. Instead of two brothers I have an entire army of them! There is never a dull moment with all of them around. During the summertime when we are up at the lake there is always something going on with this group of guys. Whether its boat rides, hanging around, or ideas that go a little south, there is always something entertaining happening with this group of people. Every time spent with all of them is one full of laughs and good memories.
5. Plenty of jokes.
As most siblings do, we have little jokes and funny nicknames for each other. My older brother is Robin, I’m Batman, and my younger brother being Penguin along with a million others. There have been so many moments that have turned into inside jokes or that just make us laugh looking back at them. Whenever I’m not in the best mood I know I can count on one of them to say something to make me laugh so hard that I cry.
6. The best friends a girl could have.
Although we may fight and get on one another’s last nerve, I could not ask for two better people to grow up with. My brothers are my greatest supporters, protectors, partners in crime, and best friends. I don’t know what I would do without these two amazing men by my side! Thank you for always being there for me and being my best friends no matter what!
