Growing up the youngest of three older brothers has not in any way made me less of a girly girl than I am. I always thought that growing up with brothers would make me a tomboy, but let me tell you I am very far from it. While they were at soccer practice I was always at dance class. As money was spent on their soccer cleats, various dance shoes were bought for me. I was never really into sports, only just sitting on the sidelines watching them play, and let’s just say they dreaded sitting through dance recitals for 14 years. Yes, while I was younger I didn’t really enjoy having only brothers for siblings, but now that I’m older I can say that it is one of the things in my life that I wouldn’t change for the world. So here are some reasons why I couldn’t imagine my life any other way:
(1)They are always there for me, no matter how far away. Being six hours away from my brothers is actually harder than I thought it would be. I remember when my oldest brother left for college I was so sad because we were so close. While looking through my things while packing up for college I came across a letter that my brother wrote to me while he was in college and I soon realized that I would be writing to him. My one brother that went to Bonaventure sent me a card with an Applebee’s gift card in it saying, “I know the Hickey food isn’t that great, go get some real food!” It’s these little things that make my day. It’s being able to call them whether they are at work when I have a question about accounting or just to talk to them that makes me realize how much I miss them.
(2)By watching them, I know how a girl should be treated. While having three older siblings, all with married or engaged, sometimes does have its downfalls, there is one thing that I consider to be a big advantage. Watching how they treat their significant other shows me how a woman should be treated. It also shows me what it looks like when two people are in love with each other and you can see it in the way they look at each other. Also this gives me female figures who I can consider to be sisters. I can always count on them for any girl advice that I need that I know that my brothers would just not quite understand. This just makes me look forward to what my future will hold.
(3)The little things, such as car rides, shopping or going out to get food. I love getting to spend any chance that I can with my brothers. Whether this be picking them up from the bus after getting home from work in NYC, or pretending to be DJ in the car while they drive or making them drive me around when I really don’t feel like it. After my older two brothers graduated from college and moved away from home, I took advantage of opportunities to hang out with them, no matter how small.
(4)Being introduced to and collecting their wealth of knowledge. Being surrounded by brothers typically meant one thing- SPORTS. When I was younger this was not something that I really enjoyed, but now I actually don’t mind them. Being able to go to a basketball game with them is one thing that I always look forward to. Since two of my brothers went to SBU, I feel we have grown closer since I came here. I will also be taking pictures at all of the basketball games this year, which I am really excited about. I know they will be up for some basketball games to write about for their blog and this is something that I can’t wait for. Just sitting and listening to them talk about basketball to each other for hours made me want to understand the sport more than I already did.
(5)Getting Asked for Advice. One of my brothers has recently gotten engaged, and I have known his fiancé since I was younger. They met sometime around sixth grade, so basically she is my older sister because I feel as if I have grown up with her. I really enjoyed and appreciated being part of the planning of the engagement. I especially liked when my brother called me up during the day asking me questions that only a girl could answer, like, “Are you sure she will like the ring?” Of course the ring was the most amazing I had ever seen – actually it’s my dream ring. Sadly, I could not be home for the engagement due to my flight cancellation but I am really looking forward the engagement party. I also love helping my brothers figure out what to do for their girlfriend’s or wife’s birthdays. I just love the fact that even though we are older and they don’t live at home that they still included me in the little things.
I sometimes like to brag about my brothers. If you asked me if I would ever do this when I was younger the answer would definitely be no. Yes, as typical siblings we had our moments when we would fight and then be best friends immediately after. Now that I am older I have come to the realization that I would not be the person that I am if it weren’t for my brothers in my life. I love the little moments that I have with them. To some people they may sound boring or stupid, but it is these moments that take up the most room in my heart. As I grow older I look forward to seeing where all of my three brothers go in their lives. As a “little” sister I can say that when I was younger I looked up to my brothers and can say that this has not changed one bit. They never let me down in anything that they do in their lives. Day in and day out they inspire me to keep improving myself and to chase after my dreams no matter what they may be.