50 Shades of Brown

I’m sorry, your WHAT birthday?  My baby girl turned 21 today (as I write this).  I am profoundly confused how that happened since I can’t be a day over 19 myself (that is another story all together). It happens to most of us eventually.  Our kids grow up. I am no exception to that rule and I do hope that you will indulge me in a walk down memory lane.

My eldest is a mellow, curious, thoughtful first born who will shy away from drama in his life.  This is probably because he DEFINITELY brought the drama at his birth.  Eldest was a normal pregnancy for the most part until 26 ½ weeks. His mother’s water broke while she was substitute teaching well away from decent medical care.  An ambulance came and rushed her to one hospital where it was determined she was stable and not having any contractions.  She was then taken to a hospital at a nearby city that specialized in premature babies.  She stayed there for 1 week until Eldest decided “Enough is enough, it’s time to come into the world and start fishing”. 

Ok, maybe that wasn’t the FIRST thing on his mind, but I’m pretty sure it was top 5.  Fast forward 3 months in the hospital (born 2lb 7oz, staph infection, strep infection, on oxygen the whole journey, etc.…)  and he comes home.  Life was amazing. Some health ups and downs, but by 2 a very happy and healthy boy.  During his 3^rd year of life, his sister made her appearance known to the world.  Not TOO much drama at birth, but lots of delightful drama since then.   Her pediatrician took one look at her and said hold on tight with this one.  How did he know?  Offspring2 is strong willed, sassy, brilliant, and takes crap from no one.  I like to remind people of this thing about her: someday when she takes over the world, make sure you are on her good side. 

In many ways, these 2 are opposites, yet they are probably each other’s closest friends and trust each other the most.  He is careful, thoughtful, intelligent, gentle, and very introverted.  She is brash, quick witted, brilliant, kind, tough, and very extroverted.   I love them both to the end of the ages.  Growing up, you’d never guess they’d be that close.  He was first and was doted on by Aunts, Uncles, and Grandparents (his mother and I were careful not to be, but we can’t control others).  She was up and walking quickly and wanted HER slice of the action.  If he was getting attention, you could be sure she was on her way to receive her fair share.  While he valued his privacy and even solitude, she needed socialization, and he was her primary focus.  As he got bigger and stronger, she never backed down, she saw the challenge, whatever big brother can do, I can do better. 

My kids moved with us through several cities and different jobs, and after each move, I noticed them getting closer and closer. They were there for each other during Covid, family drama and even college.  Both are now Juniors in college and though they don’t live together, they regularly communicate.   He works for the US Army Core in fisheries while pursuing his degree in Fisheries, and she is a barista going after a degree in Forestry. I couldn’t be prouder; they are really cool adults (way cooler than I was).

Each age with them was amazing (throw out 7^th and 8^th grade for both) and their mother and I cherish all those memories greatly.  Was there a favorite memory?  Probably their first trip to Disneyland, they had a great time. They got along; it was amazing.  But the collection of memories is something that I wouldn’t trade for anything.

You are probably wondering why I wrote this segment.  Honestly, I wanted the world to know how proud I am of each of them as individuals, and that I Love them BOTH with all my heart.