Siblings
When we were young, my brother and I didn’t get along all that well. I thought he was the annoying little brother. He hated when I bossed him around, especially when my parents left me in charge. As we moved into high school, we likely fought less, but our paths still diverged. I played sports. He was a drama geek. I guess you could say we found our grooves, separately.
As adults, though, we’ve actually grown to like each other quite a bit. We may still live very different lives (me, pseudo 9-5, while his days go well into the night) … and he may be difficult to track down as a result … but, when we do finally cross paths, we actually get along. We’ve grown to appreciate each other, even in our differences.
That’s why I was sort of excited to have him visit this past week. It’s so rare that we just get to visit with each other, as we often coordinate with our parents (let it be noted, whose company we also enjoy). But, this past week? It was my brother, his boyfriend and their dog. Camping out in our guest bedroom. Doing their own thing by day and catching up with us by night. And it’s not like we let the evening hours go to waste.
- We brought the dogs to one of the local beaches that allows the beasts to be off-leash and let the dogs run like wild.
- We met up with one of the baby’s mamas to see a show opening at her theater (Chicago friends, go see This Train, starring and about local radio favorite Tony Fitzpatrick and his story about not quite fitting in – it only runs through August 1!).
- We hung in one night while my brother made turkey chili (and I made garlic bread, so no juice would go to waste!).
- We went with my brother, his partner and the baby’s mamas to see The Kids Are All Right (thumbs up!), which was hilarious given the company in which we saw the movie and the movie’s topic: it’s about a gay couple whose teenage children decide they want to meet their biological father.
- We met up with Sweets’ folks, my brother, his boyfriend and the baby’s mamas to see an opening at the other baby mama’s theater — Queertopia, which was about stories of queer youth (another recommended show that’s only running through next weekend).
- We went with Sweets’ parents, my brother and his boyfriend to one of our favorite burger joints (the boyfriend said he had a taste for a burger, so I knew exactly where we had to take him!).
- And we even managed to host brunch at our place – so all the above people, plus some favorite friends and family had one last chance to see my brother, his boyfriend and the dog, before they leave.
I’d be lying if I didn’t say I wasn’t exhausted. I’m lucky if I do one or two things in a week, let alone a week of non-stop fun. It was most definitely exhausting. But, getting to see my brother for that much time? Fight-free time? Time where he picked up after himself and actually was a big help around the house? Yeah, I’ll take a little exhaustion for that kind of week. It was truly special and so very rare (because, my brother and his main squeeze never have the same breaks from work, so travel for them usually consists of only a day or two at a time)!
And the amazing thing about this past week? I get a replay next month. My brother and his boyfriend will be coming back to Chicago. For a whole week. Again! Only this time, the terms will be a little different. Yeah, it’ll be a whole week. And yeah, they’ll likely be staying with us. But, their visit is in anticipation of baby #2. That’s right. There’s another baby entering our family fold, months before I’m due! Lots of babies this year. Plenty of celebrations. And, I’ll take each and every one!
What were you up to this weekend? Any highlights you’d like to share?
July 19th, 2010 at 6:57 am
I’ve been hearing such good things about The Kids Are Alright, I can’t wait to see it! It sounds like between hosting brunch and running around you must have had a wild time -- hopefully you get to rest up this week and prep for another whirlwind with them next month :)
July 19th, 2010 at 7:02 am
Ohhhh, I really, really want to see “The Kids Are Alright”!!!! I ended up catching “Inception” on Friday night—it was AWESOME. So good.
But, all in all, it sounds like you and your brother had a great time! Hurrah for family visits…sometimes… :)
July 19th, 2010 at 7:42 am
I think a strong connection to your sibling(s) is so important. Glad you had a great a week. My weekend was quiet and peaceful. I spent time gossiping with friends while sunning in the yard. Then on the sofa catching up with Bones and Friday Night Lights. I also tried a few new recipes from Cooking Light which were delish.
July 19th, 2010 at 7:53 am
I am so glad that you had lots of fun times with your brother and such great company. I’m slightly envious that much of your week involved the arts & so many great shows, posts like this make me want to live in a city. I’m also really excited that Baby #2 will be here next month, very exciting!!
July 19th, 2010 at 8:17 am
Sounds like a great weekend!
Did you tell us that your brother and the baby’s mamas were expecting another baby? The last I remember they were considering having another one but I didn’t know it was a for sure thing. Or else you did tell me and I forgot because I stink at remembering things. Either way congratulations! How exciting.
Isn’t it great to get to know your sibling as an adult? My baby brother continually amazes me with the person he has grown into. I am constantly shocked that the little brother that annoyed me is now a real grown up that I might actually be friends with even if he wasn’t related to me.
July 19th, 2010 at 8:25 am
I can’t wait to see The Kids Are Alright! I’m glad you enjoyed it as much as I hope I will!!!
Siblings rock. Especially adult siblings. My sister really is my BFF and my brother knows me like no one else.
July 19th, 2010 at 8:26 am
Definitely want to see that movie; it sounds and looks great! I saw Inception yesterday. It was good but at the same time, I’m not 100% sure how I feel about it yet. Other than that resting after a long work trip and just ignoring life overall :)
July 19th, 2010 at 9:03 am
Sounds awesome. My sister and I definitely got closer when she moved out of the house, too. Sometimes a little space makes all the difference.
July 19th, 2010 at 9:04 am
Aww I love that you and your brother are so close now. My brother is 4.5 years younger than me and just about to enter his last year of high school. For lack of better words, he’s kind of a little shit, and we don’t get along that great. We DO, however, get along better then when we were younger, so I’m hoping that we’ll gradually grow closer over the years.
I had a super laidback weekend and went to the lake with friends!
July 19th, 2010 at 9:34 am
I must say that the Frenchie is my go-to on Bad Apple’s burger list. Anything with truffle oil is tops in my book. I’m getting hungry just thinking about it…
What a great week/weekend you had!
July 19th, 2010 at 9:44 am
Your brother picks up after himself? Lucky! Mine leaves a trail wherever he’s at.
I’ve meant to ask this before and keep forgetting about it. I’m always confused by the baby’s mamas, what relation are they?
July 19th, 2010 at 9:58 am
It’s raining babies! ;-)
It sounds like you had a really wonderful time- I’m glad.
July 19th, 2010 at 10:23 am
This is so wonderful that you’re grown to appreciate your brother. It is so nice to have siblings and it’s even nicer if you get along with them..
I definitely miss my sister a lot. If I had to pick one person that I would like to see more often, it would be my sister.
July 19th, 2010 at 12:53 pm
my sister and i didn’t really get along until we stopped sharing a room and that definitely made us want to hang out more, it’s just funny that way sometimes.
but yay for a fun weekend with your brother, sounds like a lovely time.
July 19th, 2010 at 1:53 pm
I can’t wait to see The Kids Are Alright!
July 19th, 2010 at 2:43 pm
Oh, I can’t wait for that one to make it into my Netflix queue.
Glad to hear you had a great weekend with your brother! I am also much closer to my brother now that we are older. I don’t know what shifted, but I’m glad it did.
July 19th, 2010 at 3:13 pm
I r confuze . . . who are “the baby’s mamas”?
Also, re. midwifery/hospital/home birth, etc. You do what is right for you and Sweets. Period. Paragraph. End of discussion.
Surely if there is one thing we should all be able to do on our own terms, it is start our families. I had both my babies in a hospital (and I was certainly glad I did as I came about YAY close to death while laboring Benjamin). It’s a personal decision. It’s YOUR decision. I mean, honestly. If you’re the one birthing a baby, and people should respect the simple decision to birth said baby in the way you feel comfortable. Done and done.
ps, I know I don’t comment, but I’m still reading. xo
July 19th, 2010 at 3:55 pm
Nilsa, I swear you have more hours in your weekends than the rest of us. Every time I read one of your recaps, I find myself wondering How Did She Fit All That In?! It’s astounding. Sounds like great fun. And I’m glad to know The Kids Are All Right is good -- I wanted to see that.
July 19th, 2010 at 9:35 pm
I saw The Kids Are Alright last weekend and loved it. Inception was the big movie this weekend and loved it too. My brother and I get a long SO much better as adults too. We used to fight all the time and now respect each other more.
July 20th, 2010 at 1:52 am
I am the only girl in the middle of a brother sandwich and I love it. There were definitely times when I wanted a sister growing up, but now? I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Congrats to your brother and his partner for baby #2, and I’m glad you were able to spend so much time with them!
July 20th, 2010 at 10:20 am
my little sister and i had a similar situation growing up, she drove me NUTS when we were younger but now, we are actually happy sisters, friends even.
shocker.
July 20th, 2010 at 12:24 pm
That sounds lovely! I grew up as an only child, however when I was 13 my step-mother gave birth to my sister. We only lived together for a few months one time while my primary parents’ house was being renovated, but we’re getting closer now that she’s grown up. Now that I can be her friend instead of her babysitter, our relationship is a true comfort to me.
July 20th, 2010 at 6:35 pm
I went to The Man’s family reunion…where my place card listed me as Sarah [his last name]. I didn’t exactly know how to handle that and instead focused on that ‘h’, which to me meant they were talking about someone else altogether.
July 20th, 2010 at 8:44 pm
I am glad you had a wonderful week with your brother! I’d love to have a week with my little sister. I am hoping to meet up with them for a vacation sometime in the next year or two. We really, really did not get along that well when we were younger because I was too much of a mother Hen and she was even more obstinate because of that. Luckily, we’ve gotten past that & now she is one of my closest friends.
I spent the weekend at my parents lake cabin last weekend and will be heading up there again this weekend! Can’t wait. It’s so calming/relaxing to be up there!
July 21st, 2010 at 12:05 pm
It;s great that you along with your brother now. My sister and I were the same way, we were never friends when growing up and were at it constantly. Now, were best friends and I know I will miss her tons once I move :( Buy hey, on a brighter note, those burgers look GREAT!