We Back

There was once a time when we were so conjoined at the hip, that we were separated by force so he would listen to other leaders and I could set healthy boundaries. A lesson I have continued to learn with these young men who usually tower over me, forgetting their size doesn't change their age. For most, I am their sister. I am the one they tell about cute girls and the fights they get into. The one that for whatever reason, keeps choosing them. 

I remember when he asked me how long college was.

We were picking out his first day of school outfit and I was 2 years into undergrad.

"Half way there T... we can do it."

"Yeah... we can. What about this shirt?"

I swore there would never be another group of kids I could do the most normal day to day things with, and it feel like the greatest joy.

                                          

We were sitting around the table eating more food than we should have consumed.

Laughing so hard I thought for sure we would get kicked out of Golden Corral.

I looked at the family we've become. The inside jokes. 

The really hard days feeling far enough off that it only felt like good days existed. 

I was about to get in the car and head for Lexington one last time as an undergrad when it hit us.

I'll spare you the tears we had for a few seconds, but just know this, I was wrong 4 years ago. 

These kids proved me wrong in the most beautiful way. 

And I know for a fact the babies I left all those years ago would thank you for loving me so well.

I saw him from across the crowd.

Taller than everyone around him.

Still earning the nickname given to him in elementary school.

He has matured 10 times over and requested I be his teacher the next 3 years of high school.

     "Something like that" was my response. 

     Cause "we back."

I heard him call my name from across the crowd.

Immediately I saw her. 

One of the only girls on this earth that reminds me of my younger self so much it's scary. 

I still expect her to play ball somewhere like UK or UConn before she makes her way to the WNBA.

Still as stubborn and "anti feelings" as I remember her as a little girl, she responded to the news with 

     "Yeah okay... it's about time." 

     We shoved each other in the arm cause, "we back."

Pushing through the crowd was both fire and ice, anger and laughter, his arms wide open for a hug.

Heads taller than the last time I saw him, he said "my brothers are here too!" He already knew what I was going to ask... and so we went outside to see two other familiar faces. 

I wish you could feel what I felt in those next few moments. 

It was as if this specific level of joy I had once known, but had become dormant, was unlocked.

Not that I haven't felt joy... but this was different... this felt like coming home.

They came in close for my secret, and the one who knows my heart better than I know it myself asked with skepticism, 

     "Forever?"

     "Forever, ever."