Before I start my "30-blog-challenge-sibling-post" -- I need to give a shout out to all the Veterans who do such a great service to our country! Ryan and I had our traditional (3rd year now) Veteran's day lunch at Applebee's -- where he got a free meal.
I also ran 20 miles prior to this lunch date - so let me tell you I was ravenous!!!!!!
Now onto siblings....
I started writing a post 2 days ago on this. But it turned into a book. I started writing about each sibling I have, and the unique traits they have that has impacted my life. But it would've gotten long -- for my siblings are as follows:
Chad, Emily, Kevin, Julie, Emily, Jason, Lisa, Erin, Nick, Michael, Alexa, Sophia, and Jack!!!
That's a long list! I consider my sister/brother-in-laws siblings too. When you marry someone, you truly marry into their family I believe. So instead of writing a 700 page book on sibling love, I'll break it down into 2 sections
1) My Immediate Siblings: (Chad, Kevin, Emily, & Lisa)
-I feel great comfort knowing that these are 4 people who will always be close to me throughout my life. No matter what changes happen in life, or where our jouney takes us -- there will always be get-togethers at the lake cabin and holidays that will bring us together.
-Their unconditional love brings incredible joy. As I've grown, I've gotten much closer to my siblings.
-Growing up, I wanted to be just like my siblings. Maybe a litte too much. In other words...I annoyed the crap out of my sisters & brothers!! They put up with one annoying little sister!! ;)
-I would not be the person I am today if it weren't for my siblings! I always strived to be "like" them -- so I think it matured me faster. I look up to my brothers and sister whenever I make a big life decision, for they always have and always will be role models to me!!
2) In sibling-in-laws (Emily, Julie, Jason, Erin, Nick, Michael, Alexa, Sophia, & Jack)
-It is hard for me to separate Emily, Julie, and Jason as "in-laws" first of all...b/c they've been a part of my life since I was like 7 years old! They are definitely family to me. And besides being incredible people - they make my own brothers & sister VERY happy. Our family would NOT be what it is without my sister & brother in laws!
-Erin, Nick, Michael, Alexa, Sophia, & Jack are Ryan's siblings -- who I am very blessed to have such awesome in-laws! I always worried I'd marry into a family where the siblings were disapproving and cold to me. But that is definitely not the case with Ryan's family. They are all like family to me and I am so lucky to have them!
-Alexa, Sophia, & Jack are younger than me -- which fulfills one of my dreams of being an "older sister".... Growing up, I always wanted a younger brother or sister. But, being my Mom & Dad were 40 when they had me, I learned pretty quick that this was NOT going to happen! It's so fun to see them grow up -- and we live 1.62 miles from them -- so get to see them often!
(....Just to explain why I know that I live 1.62 miles from my in-laws...(which comes across odd and creepy, I am sure) -- I run my neighborhood every day with my GPS. And I run by their street every time almost every time. I know the mileage down to the tenth of a mile everywhere in my community. )
My siblings are on the top of my list of "favorite people in the world"! I wouldn't be the person I am without them!
I also ran 20 miles prior to this lunch date - so let me tell you I was ravenous!!!!!!
Now onto siblings....
I started writing a post 2 days ago on this. But it turned into a book. I started writing about each sibling I have, and the unique traits they have that has impacted my life. But it would've gotten long -- for my siblings are as follows:
Chad, Emily, Kevin, Julie, Emily, Jason, Lisa, Erin, Nick, Michael, Alexa, Sophia, and Jack!!!
That's a long list! I consider my sister/brother-in-laws siblings too. When you marry someone, you truly marry into their family I believe. So instead of writing a 700 page book on sibling love, I'll break it down into 2 sections
1) My Immediate Siblings: (Chad, Kevin, Emily, & Lisa)
-I feel great comfort knowing that these are 4 people who will always be close to me throughout my life. No matter what changes happen in life, or where our jouney takes us -- there will always be get-togethers at the lake cabin and holidays that will bring us together.
-Their unconditional love brings incredible joy. As I've grown, I've gotten much closer to my siblings.
-Growing up, I wanted to be just like my siblings. Maybe a litte too much. In other words...I annoyed the crap out of my sisters & brothers!! They put up with one annoying little sister!! ;)
-I would not be the person I am today if it weren't for my siblings! I always strived to be "like" them -- so I think it matured me faster. I look up to my brothers and sister whenever I make a big life decision, for they always have and always will be role models to me!!
2) In sibling-in-laws (Emily, Julie, Jason, Erin, Nick, Michael, Alexa, Sophia, & Jack)
-It is hard for me to separate Emily, Julie, and Jason as "in-laws" first of all...b/c they've been a part of my life since I was like 7 years old! They are definitely family to me. And besides being incredible people - they make my own brothers & sister VERY happy. Our family would NOT be what it is without my sister & brother in laws!
-Erin, Nick, Michael, Alexa, Sophia, & Jack are Ryan's siblings -- who I am very blessed to have such awesome in-laws! I always worried I'd marry into a family where the siblings were disapproving and cold to me. But that is definitely not the case with Ryan's family. They are all like family to me and I am so lucky to have them!
-Alexa, Sophia, & Jack are younger than me -- which fulfills one of my dreams of being an "older sister".... Growing up, I always wanted a younger brother or sister. But, being my Mom & Dad were 40 when they had me, I learned pretty quick that this was NOT going to happen! It's so fun to see them grow up -- and we live 1.62 miles from them -- so get to see them often!
(....Just to explain why I know that I live 1.62 miles from my in-laws...(which comes across odd and creepy, I am sure) -- I run my neighborhood every day with my GPS. And I run by their street every time almost every time. I know the mileage down to the tenth of a mile everywhere in my community. )
My siblings are on the top of my list of "favorite people in the world"! I wouldn't be the person I am without them!
Comments
I kind of complained about being in a big family when i was younger because I hated sharing the bathroom and I hated sitting in what i thought was the worst spot at dinner (wow, I sure had it rough...). Now I love being part of a big family! Can't wait for us to all be together at T-giving!
And I agree - I don't really make much of a differentiation between my in-laws and siblings!
So glad you included all of them in your siblings. I wanted to include Eric's brothers in my mine but it was getting long and crazy. I love them too though.
I laughed out loud when I read that you live EXACTLY 1.62 miles from your in-laws. Lol!
It's so funny to think of your brothers and sisters as so much older than you, your parents seem so young to me. Also, I met them all at your wedding, so from my perspective, you're all "adults" together. (Does that make sense?!)
I am so happy that you consider Ryan's brothers and sisters your "siblings", as well. That means so much to me!! I do know Alexa and Sophia look up to you as an older sister and that makes me happy as well, because you are a wonderful role model for them!
You are truly blessed with a VERY large and unique family, Abigail Nastase!! I'm glad you enjoy it.