I am the youngest of four children. My siblings and I get along great when we're together. The only thing that has kept us from being close is the distance between me and them. They live in another state and it's been that way since I was 14. We don't keep in touch on the phone or see each other in person as much as we probably could but when we get together we're able to laugh and hold a conversation as if we hadn't been apart at all. At this point in our lives it's easy to say we all have so much in common with each other. That wasn't always the case though. My sister and I are seven years apart, then the other sister and I are fourteen years apart and my brother and I are sixteen years apart. That's a big difference, isn't it? When I was a baby they were teenagers and when I was a teenager they were all adults married and with children. Now all four of us are in the same level of owning homes and raising families. My brother, the oldest, has grandchildren now which is something none of us girls can relate to.
Living in a different state hasn't always been easy for me. I can't express how many times I wish I could have called one of my sisters and said, "hey, you want to come over and hang out?" or, "let's hang out at the mall together today." I've missed out on so much being far away. I not only miss out on the opportunity to hang out with them any time we want but I've also missed out on watching my nieces and nephews grow up. I've missed so many birthdays and holidays with them. It wasn't fair.
I love my siblings very much but I wish we were closer. Closer with distance and closer with age. This is why seeing my two children get along with each other and remain close throughout their lives is so important to me. My wish is that they continue to love each other, need each other, help each other and be each others best friend throughout their entire lives.
After having our first child we new our family wasn't complete. We loved him so much and enjoyed every moment with him. In my heart I felt the desire to give him a sibling. We wanted two children but we didn't want them to be too close in age but also didn't want them too far apart either. I wanted a few years with just us and Matthew.
When Matthew was about two he kept saying, "I want a baby sissa!" I want a baby sissa!" I knew he was only saying this because his new friend across the street had a baby sister. He didn't quite understand what he was asking for but something in my heart clicked and I knew it was time to give him what he wanted (although it could have been a brother). No, no, he didn't want a brother. He wanted a sister and kept letting me know that. Well, after many talks with my husband and a lot of nights spent praying I did get pregnant and yes ... with a little sister for Matthew. I made sure our son knew that he was included in this pregnancy and this child was not just mine or his daddy's but his as well. He went with me to every doctor appointment and had the chance to hear the baby's heartbeat. We took him to every ultrasound so he could see the baby that was growing inside of me.
I knew he was going to be an incredible big brother. I made sure I never left him out of anything and that he always understood that even with another little one in the house he was still going to be loved and a main priority in our lives.
Then she came into the world and I got to witness first hand what kind of big brother Matthew was going to be.
At only three and a half he had to be reminded not to be so rough with the baby. He still needs that reminder every now and then. Yet, he loves her. I know he does.
The moment we brought her home from the hospital we presented Matthew with a few gifts that were from her. I had heard of people doing this before and thought it was a great idea. He had something for her as well.
I have enjoyed watching the two of them and the bond they have. I've put together a collection of some of my favorite pictures of the both of them together.
Trust me, they aren't always all over each other, hugging and kissing. When Brianna was a baby I sounded like a broken record always telling Matthew to be gentle with her. I still say that. Although now that she is bigger the tables have turned. I have to tell her to be gentle as well. She finds it funny to hit, pinch and bite. She also likes to take Matthew's things and then he gets mad at her and takes it out of her hand. Then she cries and throws a fit. Then I intervene and remind him that he shouldn't be rough with her and she's too little to understand. It's a daily challenge, but we get through.
For the most part these two have already developed a special bond. They truly are best friends and I hope as the years go by they will remain that way. Being one is a boy and the other is a girl they do have different interests and likes but they still find common ground. There is still many things those two can do together. Now that Brianna is older Matthew enjoys her more. He has a buddy to play with all the time. He likes that.
I love seeing these two together. I'm trying so hard to do the best I can in teaching them to have a love for each other. I'm always telling them and will always remind them how lucky they are to have each other. The bond between siblings is one no one else can understand. It's an amazing thing. Of course, they will fight and they will want to separate from each other now and again -- but the bond will always be there. As they grow up they will see how friends come and go in their lives but the two of them will always have each other. Even if they don't agree on things.
So what do I want for my children when it comes to the relationship they have as siblings? Love each other, give hugs often, fight for each other not with each other, stay friends, protect each other, put the other first and never give up on each other.
These two are my world. I'm so proud of them both!
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