So my little brother Gabriel just recently graduated high school....
I love each of my siblings equally, and for very unique reasons, but the relationship that Gabriel and I have built is something special to me. I can't quite put my finger on what it is that makes it different, but I guess I wouldn't be able to pin point it with Noah or Anna either.
I still remember, as if it were yesterday, the moment I found out I'd be getting a little brother. I was on the phone with my dad, sitting in the hallway (Weird, I know. No idea why either) of our apartment on Cherry St. in Flagstaff when he told me he had big news. My step-mom was pregnant and I'd soon have a little sibling that would be almost exactly 10 years younger than me. Due to the nature of school schedules and living in different states, I didn't get to see Gabriel for the first time until he was almost 6 months old. But that's another moment I'll never forget.
I flew in late that night, and my dad assured me that Gabriel would be sleeping by the time we would be home, and I wouldn't get to see him until the morning. Lucky for me (not so lucky for Andrea) he didn't feel like going to sleep on time that night and was awake when I got in. It was love at first sight.
I remember taking my new role as big sister, very seriously. I had always been the youngest up to this point, so this was a big deal. I remember time and time again, trying to prove myself to Andrea that I could not be more of a perfect big sister.
Sadly, there are a few memories burned into my brain proving exactly the opposite of that... Like the time I left scissors on the bedroom floor for him to play with after wrapping some gifts (don't worry, nothing detrimental happened) or the time I was cooking and set him on the counter while I turned around to grab a spoon and heard a THUMP as my little brother's head hit the floor when he fell off. Or most recently, when I yelled at him (via email) for not telling me first that he had chosen his college and I found out via Facebook. For all of this, the countless other mistakes I've made, and the infinity more that I'm bound to make in the future (hey, I'm only human)- I'm sorry Gabriel. I love you more than words can say. Thankfully, Gabe is one of the sweetest, warmhearted, forgiving guys I've ever known!
Since I was living in Arizona for the better part of his young baby life, when I moved to Oregon, I tried my hardest to make sure that he and Noah knew I was their sister, and how much I loved them.
Side note: No joke, when he and Noah were very young, they asked Anna when I wouldn't be spending the night anymore, and when I'd be going home.... They didn't quite understand that I was their sister too and not just a friend of Anna's around to spend the night for a while hahaha
I loved spoiling them at Christmas, on birthdays, any chance I got. One of my favorite memories was when I took Gabriel to his first concert. I loved that we both shared a love for pop-country music, but specifically the Rascal Flatts. I was so excited when they were on tour in Portland right around his birthday- it could not have been a more perfect gift for me to give and share with him.
One of the ways that Gabriel and I have always been able to bond over was our passion and enjoyment in many things athletic. He started swimming at a very young age and really took to competitive swimming as he got older. I loved that anything athletic that I found interesting, he would always give it a shot with me, so I was never alone. It was a great day when we both ran our very first 10K race together on Thanksgiving Day.
I love his little webbed toes! No wonder this kid is such a great swimmer!
There's not too many things that I miss that greatly about Oregon, but I'm definitely glad I decided to go back there after leaving at the age of 9. I'm so thankful that my brothers were a big driving force behind my return. One thing I miss about living in the same city as them is the little every day moments that I got to share with them. Things as silly as going to the pumpkin patch with the entire family.
Then on to bigger more monumental moments, like when he graduated 8th grade. To me, it wasn't so much a big deal that he was graduating 8th grade, as it was "Holy crap- my little brother is about to start high school!".
While North Carolina and NYC are not exactly next door neighbors, it's been so nice having them on the east with me and it makes getting "home" so much easier than it probably would have been if they were to have stayed in Oregon. I felt really honored when Gabriel asked me if I would fly down to be the one to take his senior pictures. Ummm... duh. Yes. without hesitation. I'll jump at a trip home any chance I can get! But this was most definitely a moment I wasn't going to pass up. I couldn't imagine seeing someone else take his senior pictures. He's such an awesome brother too, he hooked me up with not just one, but TWO of his high school buddies to do their senior pictures as well!
The weekend of his graduation was a quick one, but a great one. It started the day before the actual graduation ceremony with a Convocation awards ceremony where many of the kids in his class are given a slew of different academic awards. When I had asked both my dad and Gabe prior to the ceremony if he would be winning anything they both chuckled and said "Doubtful." Well, little did Gabriel know, he WOULD be winning an award, and a rather honorable one at that! Gabriel was the recipient of the Maureen B. Gerhardt Award during Convocation. This award is made in memory of Maureen Gerhardt, GDS parent and trustee, and given to a member of the Upper School who best exemplifies the values of honor, personal integrity, responsible citizenship, and service to the community. His teachers nominated him because of his willingness to help his fellow classmates on projects, as well as his dedication to our arts program as a vital member of the stage crew. The moment my dad, step mom and I all realized that this superior kid that the Dean was explaining, was Gabriel was an emotional one to say the least.
Thankfully, the graduation ceremony the following day was much less emotional and really a lot of fun.
This post is already about at it's max for cheesiness, so I'll try to reel it in.
Gabriel, I just want you to know how proud of you I am. It was so much fun walking around Elon's campus with you, you really seemed to know your way around and I loved seeing how fired up you are about going there next year.
I have a lot of confidence in you and know you'll do great. I cannot wait to see what twists and turns life takes you through, but know that I'm always here for you if ever one gets to be a little tough.
I love you so, so, so much! And don't forget to keep in touch ;)
