My brother, Brandon, is officially a senior in high school. Yesterday, he had his LAST first day. I can't even handle it, and typing that out feels crazy. I feel like a typical, emotional older sister, but I'm actually on the verge of tears going through all these old photos of us! We've been through a lot of crap together, but what's cool is that we've had each other through it all. Despite our age difference (over 6 years) he's always felt like one of my very best friends.
I remember when Caleb and I got engaged, I was secretly wondering if he'd ask my brother to be in the wedding, as a groomsmen. I assumed no, because of their age gap & how many potential groomsmen he had... but that didn't stop them from becoming like real, true brothers throughout that next year. Caleb didn't hesitate to ask Brandon to be a part of everything, even the bachelor party. I'm so thankful that the two of them are so close, you'd almost assume they were brothers by birth. Nothing makes me happier than knowing 2 of the most important men in my life love each other!
So today in honor of his last "first day" of high school, I thought I'd share some of my favorite memories with my little bro! Like the time we got to celebrate our Dad's wedding last May. Brandon was the best man, and it was crazy cool seeing him stand up in front of everyone and give a speech!
This past Spring, I used a random vacation day to watch him play in the Cincinnati Red's Opening Day Parade! I was so stinkin proud of him. I don't just say this because I'm his sister, but he ROCKS at drum line. Puts Nick Cannon to shame ;)
I can't even count the memories we've made on our family vacations to Hilton Head. We typically laugh so hard we cry and eat way too many crab legs...and that sounds like absolute heaven right now! We already have our next years vacation booked and you better believe I'm counting down the days!
One of my absolute favorite, and pretty recent memories is when I got to spend the week with the teens of the youth group in Cleveland, TN. On night #2, the band sang the song "Here's My Heart", and we were both moved to tears... like I said, Brandon and I have been through a lot in the last few years with our family so to have him next to me in that moment was amazing. He's one of the strongest young men I know.
I loved sending him off to Prom last Spring of his Junior year...he cleans up pretty well!!!
Some of my favorite times spent with him is when he randomly stops by to hang with Caleb and I. We play the guitar (well, the boys do), we sing, we watch TV, we just talk about life. I'm gonna miss that when he goes away to college!
Long story short, my brother means the world to me...and I know I just turned 24 but seeing him start his SENIOR year makes me feel like an old lady. Regardless, I'm so proud of who he's become, and so excited to see what he accomplishes this year! Go get 'em, Bran!!!
How precious! Especially the picture of him playing at the Opening Day Parade. That smile! Siblings are the best.
ReplyDeleteAww! I'm feeling super old too, my youngest brother just started 10th grade! When I graduated high school he was in kindergarten. It's so crazy! I really wonder what he thinks about me, like my "old"er sister. I wonder how uncool I am in his eyes haha.
ReplyDeleteI love being close with my little brother! It's such a unique and special bond and half the time, I feel like he's the one that's older than me because I'm always looking up to him (literally and figuratively). I'm so happy you have that awesome friendship with him! Also, look at his chubby little face in that first picture. I melt.
ReplyDeleteOh trust me I know how you feel. I'm 9 years older than my youngest sister so when she graduated from HS and from college I felt really old and now I have 9 neices and nephews and when they reach their milestones it makes me feel even older! Here's to a great senior year for your brother :)
ReplyDeleteAw this post gave me all the feels! I'm so happy that you and your brother have such a close relationship despite the age difference. My brother and I are only 2 years apart and sometimes being so close in age made it harder to have a close relationship growing up. Now that I've moved out we have grown closer so I guess it all works out in the end. :)
ReplyDeleteMy little brother is 8 years younger and just finished high school, a summer of drum corp, and is on his college orientation today - TALK ABOUT FEELINGS. I love feeling proud and nostalgic and emotional over all the fun growing up stuff. So nice to see a brother and sister relationship as close as yours!
ReplyDeleteAWwww LOVE this! I'm 6 years older than my "little" brother too, and I love the bond that we have now <3
ReplyDeleteThis is so dang cute. My sister and I have a major age gap too - 7 years - and she's junior in college this year. It just blows my mind! Her 21st birthday is almost here and it just makes me feel old too. I think it so special how you and your brother are so close. My sister and I didn't get close till we were older, and now she's one of my best friends. She's already back at school for the year and I miss her already!
ReplyDeleteThis absolutely melts my heart :)
ReplyDeleteLove all these pics of you guys!!! And I love the relationship you guys have- it's why I always wanted to have a brother :) Good luck this year Brandon- you're gonna rock it out!!
ReplyDeleteSuch a sweet post, love the tribute to your little bro.
ReplyDeleteaw what a sweet post!
ReplyDeletemy little bro is 11 months younger than me, so not a big age gap at all, but he will always be my baby bro :)
You and Brandon have always been close. And I love that relationship the two of you have. You both are very special to me. I love this post.
ReplyDeleteThis gives me all the feels! My sister is getting ready to start her senior year of college and I just can't even begin to tell you how old that makes me feel!
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