Brotherly Love
October 9, 2024
Writer: Brooke Edelman
Editor: Carly Shneider
As females, we always hear about the importance of sisterhood. While I am fortunate enough to confidently say I have the most special sister-like friendships in my life (who I am oh so grateful for), I can also disclose that I’ve never wished I had a sister. Sure, it’d be nice to have someone to go to when it comes to how to deal with boys or which outfit looks best, but I’m not sure it’d compare to the bond I have with my brothers.
I consider myself one of the lucky ones to grow up as the middle child of three. Three years apart from Ethan, and four years older than Gavin, I’ve had the privilege of being both the little sister who seeks her older brother for protection and guidance, and the older sister who cares deeply for her younger brother, wanting to be there for teachable moments and to watch his life unfold.
Like most siblings, my favorite parts of growing up were the memories with them. Although painting nails and gossiping about the latest drama isn’t identical to spending Saturday nights in the basement playing knee hockey, I believe they shaped me into the person I am today. My brothers are my best friends, and while it’s not sisterhood, our siblinghood is all I need.
I’ve only known life with one, or both of them, by my side. It wasn’t until I got to college that I truly took the back seat. I watched in amazement (and with severe FOMO) as their brotherhood became stronger right before my eyes — it was time for just them to have their moment together.
They’re my favorite duo. Who needs entertainment when you have brothers? Ethan teaches Gavin a lesson that he most definitely didn’t ask for, and Gavin will let him know just that. They play rough house and crack jokes at each other nonstop. But, they’re brothers, which is something some of us will never understand.
When I think of my brothers, I know that every moment we create is one that we’ll one day tell our children about. The times we’ve spent racing against the clock during commercials to make in time for the newest episode of iCarly, the times we’ve traveled the world together, the times we’ve sat at the kitchen table eating ice cream on buy-one-get-one Carvel Wednesdays, and the time they drove for hours to surprise me just for the day. It’s all the times added up that makes our siblinghood timeless.
While I like to think I am the glue that holds us together from the middle, they are the ones who have held me up. Gavin makes me laugh like no other; Ethan’s never steered me in the wrong direction. And, true to my position in the middle, they come to me for advice. The three of us balance each other out, raising each other to be the best versions of ourselves.
Although my sisters are by choice and not by chance, I believe that the people around us are the people that make us, us. So, to my lifelong best friends and brothers, thank you for our unbreakable bond. Here’s to going through life with brotherly love.
Image : Chloe Sinel
