When the kids were smaller, like most siblings, they fought a lot with each other. Maybe because there were only the two of them, there was just no one else to fight with, but they never seemed to quit. I clearly remember wishing that they would learn to get along and be good friends--not just tolerate each other. We had a great example of this with our nephew, Travis, and niece, Larisa. They were close in age--like mine--and older (enough) for me to see the wished for light at the end of the tunnel.
That wish has been fulfilled all along the year, honestly. But last night something happened that made it even clearer. I was making dinner, and the kids were helping me cook--I know, right?!
Then The Girl said, "The Boy said the nicest thing to me today." Startled, I asked what he said, and she she answered with "He said that he was really going to miss me when I leave fro school in the fall."
So I teased The Boy and asked him, "Did you really say that?" And he responded immediately, "Yeah. I will miss her."
Parental Success. A Mommy Payday. Right there, in that quick little exchange.
It I hadn't been leaning over the saucepan at the time I might have teared up over that. Maybe I did. Maybe it was the steam coming off the sauce. Yeah. That is what it was. I was moved by their expressions however.
In all reality, they do get along quite well. And since about junior high or so they seem to enjoy being together. Not all the time, but enough that I should have seen this coming. But the length of time they have been growing closer as friends, not just siblings, isn't the important thing. They ARE friends. And siblings.
As a parent that is one of the most gratifying results to see. Maybe all those "forced" hugs, apologies, family nights, play dates, and vacations without friends did the trick. Or maybe they just grew up enough to see that the other one is a really cool person and a lot of fun to hang out with. So they do.
Jeanie herself couldn't have granted my wish any better than that.
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