Just Blood

If you're reading this, it's likely because you know me. And if you know me, it's likely that you know my brother, Chase. 

Once upon a time, there was the cutest little girl, named Micah. 

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Then eighteen months later Chase was born. End of story. 

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I'm kidding. It's actually the start of the coolest story ever. As I was saying, it's common knowledge that my brother is my best friend. I have many amazing friends, but he gets first place. He is blood, after all. And the only other person in the world who has the same parents as me. 

Chase and I had a trying childhood in some ways, but also the best childhood in other ways. Through thick and thin we helped each other through the boring times by being each other's entertainment, and through the overly exciting times we dispersed the energy between each other. Partners in crime.

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There have been these two year phases since around 1998. The year I went to Kindergarten. Being such an overachiever from the start, I began school right on time/a little early (young for my class). Chase clung to the vast world of playing outside and daily freedom a little longer, and started when he was six. He's always been clever and crafty. Anyway, this two year gap has followed us around ever since. When I went to high school and he was still in junior high, BIG gap. We both got in high school but the gap remained...I was the 'cool' upper classman (whatever that means) and didn't have time for little brother Chase. Before I knew how dumb that was, I was whisked away to college ten hours away. 

The gap got really huge. 

Not just maturity, but mileage. The first two years I really didn't know Chase very well. And it feels weird to say now and also breaks my heart a bit but I know it's natural and was for the best. We both were growing up and finding our own way. 

THEN CHASE CAME TO A&M. 

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The gap was less noticeable once in the same town again, however we were both busy with various schedules/friend groups. Even still, it was the closest we had ever been. He was there for me in some dark times, bright times, and gray times. Though I know that's always been and will always be the case, it was the first time it was evident that we were a team by blood, and would do any and everything for each other. Chase offers the most (occasionally brutal) honesty to me than any other person, and his advice I trust more than anyone knowing that it's completely selfless. He gives me gym advice, listens to me complain about various things, and calls out bad relationships from thousands of miles away. As I said, he's clever. He's got the most street-smarts I've ever seen in a 20 year old, and is extremely witty. We challenge each other to constantly keep up.

We've been through loss of grandparents, birthdays, giant moves to a new state in the middle of a school-year, many sporting events, snow days, rainy days, cycles of friendships/significant-others, halloweens, losing our first family dog, another big move back to Texas, being split up by college/real life, weddings, funerals, broken bones, road trips, road trips, road trips...I can't tell you how many hours I have clocked in a car with this guy. Between never living closer than six hours from our grandparents and going to college so far from home, we've spent lots of time hitting the road. Those trips were actually some of my favorite times in college, making the drive to and from and listening to the countdown of top 100 country songs at the time. We would have nothing to do but talk (and sleep, for him) about events current and passed. And somehow I always ended up driving the whole way...I guess it's just part of being the older sister and doing anything for him. He knows that. Together we've seen the Grand Canyon, the last official Aggie Bonfire, and the largest fireworks show west of the Mississippi in the Rose Bowl. I had funerals for rabbits and other small animals he would hunt when we were younger. 

...​I didn't say it was always pretty.

It is the greatest thing being able to share life with someone who's been there since day 1. Or day 547-ish. 

Must've been a blue moon...cause his hands are on the wheel...

First home game against 'bama. We were outscored, but it was the greatest gameday of my life!

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So now, the gap is sadly again alive and well. I sit in LA and he sits in College Station, but these days the gap is only a longitudinal distance. 

Chase, I am so proud of you. You make me laugh, share more memories with me than anyone else in the world, and never tell my secrets. I couldn't have picked a better person to share DNA with, not that I would want to. You're going to do some seriously wicked things in your days, and I'm lucky to be your sister. I'll take this friendship to the grave.

Happy early birthday, and here's to many more. 

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M. Kaitlin