Little Brothers

"oh, darling, don't you ever grow up.
don't you ever grow up.
it could stay this simple."
[taylor.swift]


I wish I could tell you that I "remember it like it was yesterday". That we went to the hospital and then after what seemed a life time I held in my arms my little brother. Unfortunately my little year and a half old brain doesn't remember. Unless I dig deep into my subconscience. But that might take a while, so we'll just let pictures do all the explaining.

Twenty-one years ago, my little brother was born. I thought that it was weird when I turned 21, but when it's your little brother - now thats just wrong. He is almost a good foot taller than me (which isn't hard when you're my lovely height of 5'2") and he is growing a mustache because he happens to be born in the lovely month of No Shave November. But, he didn't use to be all grown up.

Growing up in the 90s kids our age actually played outside (shocker, I know). We would play hide-and-go seek tag and run all around our backyards, front yards, and the alley behind our house. During the summer we dug a hole in the dirt under our Miniature Weeping Japanese Cherry Tree and cooked hot dogs over a fire. He was also quite the little monkey, climbing up the door frames in our house and hang from the top until he fell down, then would start the process all over again. He was also the kind, little brother and play Barbie's with me in our top secret Barbie room (yes, we had a Barbie play room. Our house growing up was pretty sweet). But that didn't last long until he decided to play Barber and give my favorite Barbie a hair cut. He does not cease to bring laughter to the family.

the hulk

steve urkel

safety first

Well the cute, little, cubby baby grew up and became a "big boy". But even though he was older, he was still short. When we moved to Maryland him and three other boys in his class were considered the "shrimp" - especially on the soccer field compared to all the normal tall middle schoolers and high schoolers. But don't let their size fool you, they might have been short but they were fast little shrimp. The best part about him being short was making him do things only short people could do. Like that one time when my friend Sarah came over to hang out with us while our parents were at an adult meeting at church. So we stayed home and tried to fit Leo in our drier. Who would want to go to a boring meeting when you can try to stuff your brother in a drier? This kid is one of the craziest kids I know.

myrtle beach || 2008

myrtle beach || 2008

"sacrifice!!!"

pimp daddy alonso

surviving Hurricane Sandy

dressing up for the midnight showing of The Dark Knight Rises

men and their food

 Not only is he super funny, but he is super talented. Seriously, check him out - for reals. With our dad being a professional photographer, we have learned about photography the fun way without having to take a boring class. His artistic gift has helped him figure out what he wants to do with his life. He has his Associates of Fine Arts degree in Graphic Design and will continue to get his Bachelor's of Fine Arts degree. He also works for Apple. And let me tell you, it's nice to have an Apple specialist in the family.

what happens when you ask an artist to "make 'lucy' beautiful"

Even though my brother is crazy and brings much laughter to the family, he is pretty darn awesome and I can't imagine living life without him. He is freaking awesome - at least that's what he told us to say at high school graduation. But seriously, if you don't know this kid you're missing out because not only he freaking awesome, he is really, really ridiculously good looking.

last treatment at hopkins

Since the summer, we have both served on the famous youth admin team. I love to see the way he loves to serve the youth of our church. He isn't there just to serve and "do his job," but he makes and effort to interact with the youth and get to know them.

I still can't believe this kid is actually, officially legal - it kinda blows my mind. I could not ask for a better, more loving, more weird little brother. I am thankful that I have always had a close relationship with my younger brother. Our friendship has grown a lot over the last 7 months since I've been home. I know that if I ever need anything I can count on him. It was quite helpful to have him around when I experienced my first flat tire on a road trip to Grove City College to visit friends.

Happy 21st birthday kid! I love you so much.