See, we grew up in a very small family - we have cousins but we rarely saw them because they grew up in England. So really most of the time it was just me & my brother growing up. Our house was out in the country - 5 miles from the closest gas station so it was an endeavor to go to a friend's house. We got to spend a lot of time together growing up, Mike & I.
We used to fight like cats & dogs - I made a sport of making him cry for about the first 10 years of his life. Maybe longer because while I was a hefty, sturdy kid (understatement) he was a little bean pole. We are in most ways as different as night & day. I'm introverted, Mike is the social center of everything. I was never very popular in school, always kind of nerdy (yes I know it hasn't changed). Mike was Mr Popularity. I could care less about clothes, hair, makeup stuff like that. Mike used to take a couple hours to get ready for school in the morning. I remember when it was his first formal dance & our Uncle David & Aunt Marlena came to visit (whom we barely knew at that point). He called Uncle David & asked him to rent a special convertible so he could be taken to his formal dance in style.
Funny kid he always has been. We have shared some pretty amazing times in our lives, Mike & I. From the pride of watching each other graduate from West Point to the despair of losing our Mom 12 years ago to the joy of meeting each others' future spouses to the trials and tribulations of parenting, there is one person on this planet I can call my brother. And I'm damn proud its Mike. Most of the time(-=
Love you brotha! Happy 4th of July!!
Judy, I never - EVER - would have said you were unpopular! I remember how much I wanted you to like me. Funny how kids just don't see reality so well, eh? I thought you were awesome and brilliant and strong. I measured myself against you in so many ways. If you haven't seen it, you might want to watch Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion. Funny movie with a very intuitive look at how oblivious kids can be. *hugs*
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