What I Would do if my Brother Were Here

Well, I feel like I need to respond to that beautiful last post of Mark's. The sibling love is too great, especially when I'm this emotional due to exam stress (sniff, sniff).

Anyway, as Mark covered, we are currently across the country from each other. The worst part of this is that every time I see my brother, he's shot up another few inches above me. It's a little bit tragic when you become the shortest in the family.

Fun fact: when my brother was born, I went into the hospital to see him for the first time and he smelled AWFUL because he'd just done his business in his diaper. I ran out into the waiting room and cried because I wanted a dog instead (brother was last on my wish list). Interestingly enough, now we're best friends. He's a pretty cool guy, and he's so nice and optimistic, which would be especially welcome right now when it's rainy and cold and stressful! (I mean, come on, Halifax. Edmonton's had snow on and off since September).

Anyway, if Mark could come here right now, this is what I would do:

1. Give him a bazillion big sister hugs and embarrass him.

2. Take him to Second Cup and buy him hot chocolate and a peanut butter cookie (a tradition of ours for at least 7 years).

3. Show him around my school and take him to my classes so he could see what university is like. I have a feeling he'd like music history! My other classes, maybe not so much. I bet he'd like the university library, though. It's dusty and smells like old people, but it's so big and quiet and it automatically makes me feel like working (which is really nice at this time of year).

4. Introduce him to all of my friends and my voice prof. I'm pretty proud of my little brother.

5. Have a writing party. I haven't had time to write much outside of blog posts and essays and research notes and music notes lately.

6. Practice performing for him. Mark is, as stated above, the nicest person I've ever met, which means that he's really fun to perform to. No judgment there, my friends.

7. Give him piano lessons. I'm trying to teach him piano, but it's a bit tough from across the country.

8. Generally have an awesome time.

9. Road trips!!!

10. Eat junk food. Is it healthy? God, no. But is it cathartic during exam time? Yes. Does it make you a cool older sister? Yes. (Side-note: the way to a little brother's heart is through his stomach. We became friends through Second Cup. Now we have progressed to bulk barn.)

11. Generally have an awesome time!

Yes, I miss my brother. Thank your lucky stars if you have siblings, because a) they pretty much HAVE to like you... again, I don't really get siblings that don't get along, either b) they're friends for life! c) they can co-blog with you and fill in for you when you are stressed or hospitalized.

Love you, bro!