Siblings

By Brooke Gottlieb

Three years ago, my brother Reuben had just graduated from high school and I was just beginning. I was and still am the baby of the family. Every year since, my grandparents have asked me at every holiday get-together, “Are you done with high school yet?”

This Thanksgiving, I am prepared to say, “Almost!”

Perhaps the most significant difference this Thanksgiving will be that I have a new best friend, Reuben. Reuben and I have always been close, but over the past few years, we have developed a different relationship. Yes, he will always be the boss when my parents are away, but now Reuben is more than just the older brother with a car who drives me everywhere. I am no longer the little sister who loves to barge in and embarrass my brother when all of his friends are over either.

As I have gotten older, we have had to adapt.  We have had to realize that at the end of the day, we are best friends above all. No longer will we share a similar bond over watching “The Simpsons” at the dinner table. Instead, we will have to rely on our friendship, our funny Facebook pictures and our obsession over Jay-Z to keep us together past our childhood years living in the same house.

This past weekend, I visited Reuben. He took me out with all of his friends and I did not feel like the baby. We were on a somewhat common ground besides the fact that I had no clue where I was going and the big, unfamiliar campus was a bit overwhelming.

Sadly, there is no “Maintaining Your Relationship With A Sibling For Dummies.” Over the past year, I have realized that my friends are always there for a good laugh, but Reuben is my backbone. I guess I can say that I am lucky, but the truth is that this relationship will take compromise and effort from both sides. Reuben is going to be home for Thanksgiving break, but it is strange to think that this time next year, our schedules will be completely different. I will not be counting down the days until Reuben comes home so I can annoy him and sit on his bed for hours, convincing him to watch “Real Housewives.” Instead, both Reuben and I will have to make the effort and adjustments necessary to see each other and catch up. It will not be as easy as walking down the hall anymore. How our friendship will develop next year is uncertain, but this process is just another step in growing up. One thing I am confident about is that I will always be the one who chooses which television show we are going to watch. Sorry Reuben, but “Entourage” will never be a top choice.