Unbelievably Proud Big Sister

So my mom tells me that when I was told that she was going to have another baby and that I was going to be a big sister that I continuously asked her if the baby in her belly had a bow in its hair.  I wanted a little sister more than anything in the world.  Note my frustration and several attitude fits when my little brother, Dylan, was born.  They had to bribe me with Hello Kitty products to make me happy... and jewelry I might add.  To multiply my frustration, Dylan was not a silent sleeper, he stole all of the attention that I had had to myself for 5 whole years, he was video taped more than me (we didn't have a video camera before Dylan) and he was a biter.  Needless to say, Dylan and I had our differences, but I am blessed that the baby in my mom's belly had a Yankees cap on instead of a bow in his hair.  That would have been odd.

Dylan and I only fought whenever parents were around, and there were several times when we even got parents involves, ruined dinner dates for them, and caused the Pritchard version of World War 3, 4, 5, 6... well you get the picture.  Each of us had to have the last word.  I was bossy and a perfectionist and Dylan was a know it all and stubborn.  So naturally our personalities didn't always match.  There were many-an-hour sitting on our knees on the living room floor in front of one another staring at each other until one of us said "I'm sorry" or "I love you".  I am sure my parents got a kick out of that.  But there were good times as well.  The ones when we were bad are easier to remember... and more fun to tell.  Dylan and I finally started getting along on a regular basis when I went off to college.  However, I think that is because he got into enough trouble in those middle school and early high school years, that whenever I came home, he didn't want to test my parents any longer.  We have grown so close over the past 19 and 1/2 years and I have always been so proud of him.

However, I have reached a pride-peak.  Dylan sent me a letter yesterday from basic training in Fort Benning Georgia saying that he was chosen Squad Leader.  I always knew that once he finally found something that he WANTED to do and that he knew he was good at that he would go far.  And look who was right.  I am so glad that he has found the path God has chosen for him.  He is good at it, and was definitely born for it.  I love him so much, and I know that he will be able to keep the position of Squad Leader (apparently that is the hard part). Love you bro! So proud of you!