David Christian (Frances) Lutchko blessed me with his presence 15 months after I was born. I can honestly say I don’t remember a moment in my life where he wasn’t next to me. Somehow, God knew Dave and I would be the perfect pair of siblings. We were given the title, “Irish twins,” even though we weren’t 12 months apart. This title became a lot funnier once we became teens because everyone dropped the “Irish” part and we were referred to as twins. We might not be twins by age, but in regards to everything else about us, we’re close to it.
Growing up, I can say we were crazed kids. Somehow I have a feeling our behavior will haunt us with any future children we have. We knew exactly what buttons to push and the smallest of things to do to annoy each other. Only the Lord knows how our parents handled us together. The fights we have had back then are classic stories we laugh at now. All of my friends grew up viewing Dave as their younger brother as well. We all were stunned by how much time had passed by not when we graduated, but when it was David’s turn. He was always there to tag along with us to weekly shopping trips or night outs at the movies. As much as it annoyed me, I also loved having him there.
David and I grew closer as we became older. He grew into my cheerleader, my supporter, my rock, my third parent, and my best friend. When we were younger, I remember him saying he was going to follow me wherever I went. He even meant it with transitioning with grades. Even though he is a whole year behind me, David was determined to be at the middle school exactly when I was to be there. The summer I left for college, it hurt leaving him in Scranton, while pursuing a degree in a town an hour and a half away. I didn’t know how to feel without him being next to me. Dave and I grew up having our rooms ten feet away from each other. I can say that a year later, after he picked a different university as mine, I was sad, disappointed, but tremendously proud my best friend wouldn’t be there with me. But it also meant that he didn’t fulfill that same promise he once was so persisted on.
I don’t think there are any words in the world to describe how much Dave means to me. He has pushed me to follow my dreams, and is always there with words of encouragement. Dave knows when to pull me back into reality when my head starts to spin into space and the right words to say to calm me down. He also is superb at keeping secrets when I say, “Don’t tell mom and dad.” I know he’s my person when it comes to anything I need in life. Just knowing I have the title of being David’s big sister is the best thing in this world.
He has been there to bring me endless smiles and countless memories. He has and always will give me the hard honest truth, even when I don’t want to hear it, but also let me cry on his shoulder. Oh, and his taste in music couldn’t be better. I truly believe having David as my brother is one of the best gifts, if not the best, to have in my life. He knows how to drive me crazy, yet I’d be completely insane without him in my life.