I’m the oldest of four, with two sisters and one brother. My baby brother just turned seven this month, and it didn’t hit me until recently that they’re all growing up.
I looked at my Snapchat memories from when they were little, and I began to tear up. How is it possible that those pictures and videos were taken several years ago? Brielle and I living in our old house when it was just us and our parents. My sister Emberly, dancing in nothing but a diaper with crazy hair. Oaklin, with the sweetest voice a baby could have. I didn’t realize then how fast it would all change.
I left the country for 6 weeks and cried, saying goodbye to each of them. My brother called me almost every day I was gone and would ask how many days until I came home. He’s always annoying whenever I’m around, as most little brothers are, but I could tell that my being gone for so long really affected him.
My sister Emberly just entered middle school. She’s a homebody and isn’t too interested in sports or leaving her room. Whenever she does, she will talk for hours about things she sees on TikTok that sometimes I don’t even understand. I love that she knows I will listen to her no matter what.
My sister Brielle just began her sophomore year of high school, the same year I was when I started dating my boyfriend of three years. I felt so grown at that stage in my life, and I can’t believe she’s already there. She plays varsity soccer, and I get to teach her how to be a better player, which is the best feeling.
One night I started to cry, thinking about my wedding day. If I were to get married in six years, my brother Oaklin would be a teenager. Emberly would be a year away from getting her driver’s license. Brielle would be old enough to have a drink to celebrate.
Knowing that they’re growing up and I can’t do anything about it breaks my heart. I remember the little things that I took for granted, like it was yesterday. As an older sister, I grew up practically raising them. I support them in all their sporting and school events. I show up no matter what. I can’t imagine being farther than 20 minutes away and missing out on all the moments I get to share with them. I can only hope they look back on these memories and cherish them, because I know I will.