There are countless reasons why it’s hard to grow up. Adult responsibilities, college to go to, things to study for, pay for, you name it. It seems like almost every day I’m wishing I could be a kid again for something or other. The number one reason I wish I could go back to my childhood? To be with my brothers.

I have had the privilege of growing up with two older brothers who loved me and protected me throughout my entire childhood. We hardly ever fought; they always were looking out for me and caring for me. My two older brothers are only one year apart, but they’re 6 and 7 years older than I am. With that much of an age difference, we didn’t ever have a reason to fight. We just loved.

Now, we’re all grown up. I’m at college in Hays. My oldest brother is in grad school in Boulder, CO. My second oldest brother is working for MTW in my hometown Wichita, KS. We are spread out, and I hardly see them anymore. We’re dispersed- yet for the right reasons. I’m incredibly happy for my two big brothers who are out chasing their dreams and living their happy lives. The times I get to catch up with them are key moments for me. Unfortunately, that’s not every day. I get so caught up. We all get so caught up. At this point, I would give anything to go back to the days where I was a baby. They would play with me, and they put me in a laundry basket, shook it back and forth, and called it “windy boat” while I just giggled and giggled because of course, I had no idea what was going on.

Basically, childhood is a beautiful thing in itself. But those of us who were able to experience it with loving siblings, older or younger- we’re the lucky ones. We can look back and have the sweetest memories. A sibling’s love for one another is rare. It’s necessary to grow up and live out our dreams, and we can’t always stay in the same place to do that. We have to be our own people, and that’s okay. There are always gonna be those days where we wish we could go back to watching endless disney movies and playing the made-up games in the living room with your siblings. To those that are still in their years living with their siblings- don’t take one minute for granted. I encourage you to love on your siblings while you still can. Because before you know it, you’ll be spread out.