I've Never Been a Big Sister

I was born last.  The youngest of three children AND the only girl.  The only thing I wanted growing up was a baby sister.  Yes, specifically, a sister.  I think every little girl wants a sister.  As a matter of fact, I think every grown up girl wants a sister, too.  For those of us who don't biologically have sisters, we find great solace and comaradarie in our closest friends.  And, those closest friends actually do become family.  Somebody we trust and rely on more than our biological siblings.  It's a strange phenomenon, but nonetheless, one of the best relationships a girl can count on.

That being said, I've experienced something I've never expected in all my years.  I've met a young man in the past few months from another country.  He's smart, thoughtful, charming, and kind.  We sort-of hit it off right away.  Since I'm almost 15 years his elder, our friendship was easy and fun.  And, I like to pick on him :)  That's just my way of letting him know I like him.  And, he has taken it all in stride. 

Over the course of the last couple of months, through all my picking and teasing, I've become quite protective of my foreign brother.  Quite early on, he started calling me "family" and although I thought it was weird, I've now come to expect it.  And, if he doesn't say "Hello, Family!", I tend to think something is weighing heavily on his mind.  He calls my boys his "nephews" and asks about them regularly.  My oldest son makes sure I stop in to see him to say hello...and then double checks to make sure that I did.  I worry that he doesn't get to see his biological family regularly and that he may be lonely, but also realize that it's different for guys than it is for girls.

At the coaxing of my son (he's very empathetic for a 7 year-old), I made sure to stop in and say hello to my "family" today.  I was surprised when I saw him as I don't even know how to describe his attitude.  Nervous and anxious, maybe, but he had a huge grin on his face and said he'd been needing to talk to me. 

I've actually come to enjoy our talks about life, faith, girls, and more.  We've had several talks about girls this past semester.  I like to think I give him great advice, but mostly I think I just talk in circles hoping he can make sense of it all for himself.  I wonder if I actually ever help or if he just shakes his head and laughs after I leave?  Today we had quite a long talk and I'm wondering, actually nervous, if I gave him good advice or not.  I know he can make good decisions on his own, but I like that he looks to me for advice.  Like a little brother would ask a big sister. 

And here we are, after never having that little sister that I always dreamed of...I've been blessed with a wonderful little brother who I didn't meet until I was 37!!  Funny how life works, huh?