When I posted last week about being a lifelong Rush fan, kgirl asked if I had a cool older brother, because it’s been her experience that girls who are Rush fans usually have cool older brothers.
Nope, not me. I have a cool younger brother.
Sean is five years younger than me, and despite the fact that he rarely makes an appearance in the blog, he’s one of my best friends as well as being my brother. It’s actually a bit of an oversight to not mention Sean here more often, as I think he as much as anyone in my life has had an impact on my sense of humour and how I see myself in the world. He and his wife Nat and their two kids – the beautiful, bald, blue-eyed girl who appears in my Flickr photos is his daughter – live outside of Toronto, so while we don’t see them as often as I’d like, I think about them all the time.
I wasn’t always happy to have a brother. Does this look like the face of a girl who is happy to cede her place at the centre of the universe to a baby brother?
Five years and a gender gap is a lot to overcome when you’re a kid. Sure, we played together sometimes – he was great about sharing his awesome collection of Star Wars toys – and we were always happy to have each other, but when I left home he was only 13 years old. And then I lived in another city for his formative years, and it wasn’t until we were both adults that we finally discovered that not only do we love each other in an obligatory sibling kind of way, we like each other as well.
Funny thing is, now that we’re adults it’s me who looks up to him as a role model. He’s my touchstone, my source for what’s new and cool, and my favourite euchre partner. It matters a lot to me what Sean thinks, and he has a huge influence over me – perhaps more than even he realizes! Not only is Sean way cooler than me, but he’s indoctrinated me on everything from music to wine to popular culture. He’s clever and kind and hilariously funny, and now he’s a wonderful father as well.
Happy birthday, baby brother! I love you!!
What a nice post. I have a very similar relationship with my younger brother, but there’s only 2 years difference between us. I do look up to him because he’s way cooler than me in every aspect. He lives two hours away from us, but I’m glad it’s no longer the other side of the country. Yay for brothers!!
love that picture! look at you 🙂
I agree– that picture is absolutely priceless! I don’t have a brother, but I feel the very same way about my baby sister, five years younger as well. Yay for sibs!
I was so touched by this post (and love the picture too) – what a tribute to your bother! I am also close to my brother (we happen to live right next door to each other – long story). This morning at church he was sitting down from me, three people away on the pew. At one point I leaned way over (as he was sort of leaned over) and I stared at him until he finally looked up. He knew I was trying to get his attention and waiting until just the right moment to let me see his eyes. When our eyes met – we laughed (in a quiet church way). It was a simple moment – but I loved it. Sometimes I just love that “he” loves me – you know. And that he “gets” me. You are lucky to have this relationship with your brother – I think we are both lucky!
Oh that expression on your face is priceless!
I have two younger brothers, and the one that came right after me I tried to strangle when my parents brought him home from the hospital. Sibling love!
Well, apparently we have a case of the blind leading the blind when it comes to role models, as I look up to my big sister, Dani! Either way, somewhere along the way someone chose the right path, leading to greatness (at least in our own minds).
I am very blessed to have an older sister that loves me as much as I love her. And two (soon to be three) wonderful nephews that sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in such a manner that I look forward to hearing it year after year.
Though we reside in different cities, our hearts and thought are always together. I love you, Dani.
Thanks for the birthday wishes!
Love, Sean
That photo is great! I also have a baby brother – almost 12 years younger. We were really close as he was growing up – perhaps I was almost a third parent shuffling him off to lessons here and there, and shopping when he was done his homework. For the last few years we haven’t been as close as he’s been busy starting a career, getting married, and most recently having his own child. I’m so proud of him now that’s he’s all “growed up”.
It’s amazing though, every so often I see that little boy in my own son.
Happy birthday Sean! That picture is priceless. Cool younger brothers are good. I’ve got one of those too.
I too have a baby brother, we are six and half years apart. I love him with all my heart and the distance between us is unbearable sometimes. It’s been a while since we talked to each other, I guess it’s because we both are pretty busy with family and work. I love him and miss him more than he knows and I think about him everyday.
Is that ever sweet. I love Sean’s note back to you, too (happy birthday, Sean!). I barely know what to say to my brother when I see him – he’s 4 yrs older and lives on the other side of the country. I can’t imagine such an expression of love coming from either of us – I really envy you that.
Happy Birthday to your ‘little’ brother; it sounds like he’s a good one! I also love you in that picture.
OK, that picture is too much. Too much.
i also have younger brother that im very love….this is blessing from god to have brother..we always laugh chatting and share our story at school together….i want my brother to be perfect man, brother and son…im always protect him coz he is my very2 best friend…we share our problem…im very lucky to have him as my brother…thanks god