29 Mar 2008

Bestest of Brothers

Christopher is having a sleepover tonight. In Benjamin's room. They are allowed to sleep over in each other's rooms on weekends, when we're not quite as strict about their bedtime.

They have actually had sleepovers with each other for years now. When Benjamin went through his 'I-don't-want-to-sleep-alone' period two years ago, he spent the better part of a year sleeping on a mattress on the floor in Christopher's room. Not once did Christopher complain about his younger brother camping out in his space.

When we first had children, I wasn't one of those brave mothers who planned to have children close in age so they could grow up together. Not that I didn't want that - I just didn't really consider it. My own siblings are three and six years younger than me, respectively, and I always felt very much like the 'eldest' of us three. My brother and sister had more to do with each other socially, but I was older and had another group of friends. Thus, I never entertained the idea of having a sibling as a best friend.

Despite the three-and-a-half years between my boys, they have become very close, and the year in Norway has strengthened that bond tremendously. Benjamin worships his brother, and although Christopher can be frustratingly overbearing with his baby bro at times, he is generally happy to have Benjamin as company. They are very goofy when left to their own devices, but is there a lovelier sound than your children laughing and playing together?

Though the boys are as different as night and day, I catch myself imagining them as best friends even as adults, setting up house in the same town. In fact, in my vision, they live down the street from each other. And here's the kicker - in my dream, my house is on that street, too! Right in between theirs.

A mother can hope, right?

23 comments:

Unknown said...

I was talking about this very thing today because there is a lot of discord among my father-in-law and his siblings. As their mom, it would make me sooooo sad to see it!

And such a blessing your boys are growing closer together. We could all hope for the same with our children.

Aliki2006 said...

I love the idea of the two of them having sleepovers together! I hope my own two do this--how wonderful!

Wonderful World of Weiners said...

Good health vibes coming all the way from your neck of the wood are MUCHLY appreciated.

Thanks....

Hallie :)

thirtysomething said...

Oh. Great picture. Such good brothers. My boys share a similar bond..

Suburban Correspondent said...

That is correct, there is no lovelier sound...

Steph said...

So sweet. My girls (2-1/2 years apart) love having sleepovers in each others' rooms, and are also the best of friends.

Anonymous said...

How sweet!

My girls are 23 months apart, so pretty close in age. It was hell the first year, but it's improved significantly since then and I'm hopeful they'll be friends for life.

dawn klinge said...

That dream of your two boys being friends and living on the same street with you in between- I want the same thing with my kids. It makes me so happy when my kids get along. This was a wonderful post.

Jenn @ Juggling Life said...

My boys (17, 15) are at a concert together tonight. And yes, a mother can hope!

Amy said...

What a lovely post! Additionally, the picture of them snoozing is just beautiful. I think you have a very wonderful hope there, and I think it's surely one that will happen. I am close with both of my sisters, and we all live close. It is awesome. My boys are three years apart and they share room and though we have two other bedroom, they do not want to part!

Mary Beth said...

Being one of six children, we always had someone to play with. My older brother is only 10 months older than I am and we were very close growing up. In 5th grade, one of our teachers was absent and they showed a movie rather than getting a sub. It was a horror movie -I think it was the Texas Chainsaw Massacre - my mother was furious and me, with my overactive imagination, I had nightmares for a week. My brother slept on my floor every night so I wouldn't have to be alone.

jennwa said...

I hope my kds grow up to be best friends too.

kim-d said...

I love the sleepover pic; that is so sweet! My two uncles, who are three years apart in age and couldn't be more UNLIKE each other in about every other way, are incredibly close and are always there for each other. I think it's great, and I hope your vision for the future comes true. It sounds wonderful :)!

hokgardner said...

My girls share a room, and their greatest delight is getting to "camp out" in their sleeping bags on the floor together. It's such fun watching them be sisters and friends.

Heidi said...

That is soo sweet. My daughter has some sort of built in radar that detects if her brother even LOOKS at the door to her room. "GET OUT OF MY ROOM!"

Not Your Regular Mini Van Mom said...

That is just wonderful. My boys are each other best friends too. We moved to a new house two years ago so they could each have their own room...well they still share a room because they were both adament that they wanted to and now they have a play room instead.

Kellan said...

They sound very close - they are so lucky to have each other!!

Hi Heidi - Thanks so much for coming by and for the well wishes. I have missed you - I'll see you soon. Kellan

E said...

Great post.
This is exactly whey we never let our kids take their friends on vacation. At 22, 18, and 12, they still play toegther in the sea like friendly dolphins. The youngest worships his big brother and big sister, and they treat him like their adored little puppy.
I envy you your year. I want one in Itay and yours has made me think ever harder about how to make it hapopen...

MyThreeBlogs said...

What a great picture! What a great post! It is the best sound, hearing them laugh & play together... I'd love to bottle it.

Stomper Girl said...

There is no nicer sound than your kids playing their special games together. And what a beautiful photo of your sleeping boys. Divine.

Karen MEG said...

I love that picture of the boys! I think they will continue to be very close. Sometimes the differences are what provides the glue.
Are you sure about living on the same street though, I mean, having lived with my folks about 5 streets away ... LOL (actually, JK, it was great!)

Amy Y said...

How fantastic... I have a fantasy similar to yours :)
My boys are 22 months apart and closer than I ever imagined they were. Though we did intentially have them close in age on purpose, I didn't expect it as my sis and I are 13 months apart and have never been close. It's one of the best feelings in the world to look at them and know they'll be Ok, no matter what, because they have each other.

Cathy, Amy and Kristina said...

I've had that one too! And I get to be the interfering mother-in-law.