It doesn’t matter if you are an older sibling or a younger sibling. You can have one sibling or ten siblings. The end results tend to be the same. Two years ago, my life changed. My baby brother made an appearance at the end of my freshman year of college. It was a complete surprise since for the past 18 years I was an only child. All of this was new to me and the one question that popped into my head was: Am I ready to have a sibling?
For 18 years, I was an only child. I used to tell my mom when I was little that I wanted a sibling. I guess you can say better late than never. I didn’t know how to feel when she told me she was pregnant. I stopped feeling the want to have a sibling when I entered junior high. I was used to doing things on my own and being the only child in the family. I was used to my little family that consisted of my parents, grandparents, aunt and uncle. I had a close-knit group of friends in high school, who today, I consider the sisters I never got. I was in a sorority my freshman year, so I most definitely didn’t feel like I needed a sibling. Don’t get me wrong, I was happy for my parents and I love my baby brother unconditionally. It was the age gap that bothered me.
When I imagined having a sibling, I thought of someone that was almost the same age as me. Someone I could talk to and have fun with. Someone who would always be my friend and be there for me. I didn’t understand what my sibling and I would have in common when we were 18 years apart in age. I would basically be the second mom. I was afraid that we wouldn’t be close and that we would be distant. I mean when he starts college, I’ll be 30 something. I mean the oddest thought I had was knowing that when I have kids that they’ll probably be closer to my brother than I am.
I was wrong. My brother has turned my life upside down. He knows I’m his sister and loves me unconditionally. He lights up when he sees me and cries when I’m not around. He also asks to play with me, whether it’s me spinning him around and ticking him or singing songs with him. I may be 20 and he may be 2, but the bond we have is everlasting. I don’t have the most typical sibling situation like others, but I wouldn’t change it. Be happy to have your sibling or siblings because no matter how many times you fight, they’ll love you unconditionally and be there for you always. No matter the age gap or differences you may have, a sibling bond is everlasting.