From Bother to Brother

A year ago, perhaps even 6 months ago, I would have admitted that my two sons simply were not the best of friends.  They never seemed to enjoy each others company in the way you would imagine two brothers would.  They didn't seem to be on the same wavelength, like the same things, or simply need each other.  My sister and I never got along growing up (and I mean we truly did.not.get.along.), and I pretty much chalked this one up to karma and hoped they would connect in their 20s like my sister and I did (who I now talk to every day on the phone).

But slowly, things have changed.  And the lucky part is I didn't have to wait another 15+ years!

I can't point to a moment, but slowly they started sharing interests, learning how to play together as a team, and enjoying the jokes and extra set of hands and decibels the other could provide.  I chalk some of this up to the miracle months Little Bug had where his medication was making social strides explode for him while Little Bro was getting some much needed humble pie at preschool.  They just clicked. 

Now there are moments where Appa and I will be in the kitchen while we listen to the sounds of laughter and imaginative play from the other room.  We just smile at each other in awe because we both wanted this so badly for our children and really thought it wasn't going to happen the way it has.  It's one of my favorite things about having two boys now, and it makes the anticipation for our Little Moon so much more delicious as I imagine him being so welcomed and loved by his united front of brothers.

And I am so grateful we had these moments bloom when they did.  Little Bug is having some really serious and new behavioral challenges due to us not being able to find the right medication for him after the terrible tics in November forced us to take him off his otherwise awesome meds.  These behaviors have made being friendly (or physically close) to Little Bug very hard and most of his friends have learned to steer clear.

But not his little brother.  Despite all that, Little Bro still sees Little Bug as his fun, always up for their favorite games, big brother.  Their relationship, unlike the others in Little Bug's life, isn't based on friendship, but on brotherhood.

And you don't give up on your brother.

I don't believe in fate, especially in adoption, but I do believe that love and family makes us grow into the right people for each other.  And I've watched these two little souls mold each other into better, more loving, and stronger individuals. They are better people because of each other, and together, they are a force to be reckoned with.

That makes me so happy.