Happy National Siblings Day to my two wonderful, beautiful sisters Alicia and Vanessa, and my younger (but somehow 6'4" and built like he’s been the oldest since birth) handsome brother Jeremy — who also turns 23 years old tomorrow April 11th.
As the oldest of four siblings, I'm supposed to be in charge—or at least that's what I tell myself. But then there's Jeremy, our youngest brother, who stands at a whopping 6'4". He claims he's the oldest, probably because he can reach the top shelf, carry all the luggage, and quite literally towers over his older sisters Alicia, Vanessa, and me. It's hard to argue with someone who casts such a big shadow (and occasionally blocks the TV with his head).
(Alicia, Vanessa, Jeremy, and Me at Jeremy's 8th grade graduation, standing at 5"11)
We’ve always had a blast together, no matter the activity. From spontaneous movie nights that usually end with debates over popcorn flavors, to our legendary family vacations in Wisconsin Dells—where Jeremy insists on being our “leader,” and his height comes in handy on water slides. Dining out is an adventure, too. Alicia and Vanessa are experts at splitting desserts, and Jeremy is an expert at eating whatever’s left over. Our mom is the real MVP for keeping up with all our antics.
(My sisters Alicia, Vanessa, and Me) (My sister Alicia and me)
(My sister Vanessa and my brother Jeremy)
Let me tell you, growing up as the actual oldest sibling in a family where the youngest brother towers over all of us is wild. Jeremy walks around like he’s the family CEO:
- “Did everyone eat?”
- “Text me when you get home.”
- “No, I get the front seat.”
- “And don’t touch my snacks.”
Meanwhile, he’s the same kid who used to cry when we changed the TV channel too fast or when mom tells him it's time to stop playing games on the Playstation 4.
When we were younger we each had our own things that we loved to do, Jeremy was on the hockey and Baseball teams, Alicia was on the soccer team, Vanessa was on the baseball team, well, then there's me. I took up karate.
Were completely different in every possible way—except for our shared talent of getting on each other’s nerves.
But honestly, that’s us — chaotic, loving, loud, and somehow always together even though half of us work days, half work nights, and all of us pretend we’re not exhausted.
Whether it’s:
- movies
- Vacations every year at Mt. Olympus, Chula Vista, Great Wolf Lodge, or Disney World
- dinner
- Six Flags Great America (where our Mom goes like it’s her second home)
- Playing arcade games at Dave and Busters or at People's choice
- Bowling at Bertrands Bowling
- Swimming at the beach
- Going to Anime Central
- And many more - It's hard to count over the years
Although, we are all adults we are still kids at heart. Besides my two young sons, we have two young nephews and a niece that helps keep us that way.
…we still show up for each other. We squabble, we steal each other’s snacks, we argue about who gets the front seat, but at the end of the day, we stick together better than your hair sticks to your face on the Demon.
Our lives may be busy, It gets tricky, but we always find time to reconnect—sometimes it’s late-night chats, sometimes it’s early morning texts, and yes, sometimes it’s squabbling over whose turn it is to cook the holiday meal. No matter what, we’re there for each other. Our love and support never take a day off.
So here’s to us, my close knit family — the four‑pack that refuses to drift apart. Today, we celebrate National Siblings Day, and tomorrow, April 11th, we celebrate Jeremy’s 23rd birthday. To my wonderful sisters Alicia and Vanessa, and also my brother Jeremy— You all keep being awesome! And to Jeremy, Happy early Birthday to the “oldest” youngest brother. May your height always help you grab snacks for us all!
( Jeremy - the fourth child, now 6"4)
(Alicia- the second child)
(Vanessa - the third child)
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