I've talked on multiple occasions about the parents, but the side of the family that often doesn't get talked about are the brothers and sisters of the bride and groom.
So, as a bit of a break from tradition, I'm going to talk about my sister in particular, share some stories, and shed a little light on your siblings when it comes to your big day.
I'm sure Emma (My little sister) won't thank me for a lot of these stories, but nevertheless, I want to paint an accurate picture of what it's like to have yours truly as an older brother.... Spoiler, I can be a real pain in the arse.
The first thing you should know about Emma is that there's a 6-year gap between us, as kids, we never really fought, and on the whole, we've always got on. I've always tried to be a proper big brother, and I wouldn't let anyone say a bad word about her.... That's anyone, but me.
I'm pretty sure I'm a constant source of frustration for my sister, as winding her up and playing practical jokes on her, is honestly one of my favourite things to do. There are few things that make me laugh more than the satisfaction of seeing her get really genuinely wound up with me.
So, let's explore a few examples of why I'm the big brother from hell.
1) Emma lives with my parents. Occasionally, when I visit, I'll go into her bedroom, without her knowing and remove every single light bulb from the room, hiding them in various places around my parent's house. This one's brilliant. It's a slow burner and I can guarantee I'll get an angry text from my sister a few hours after departing demanding I tell her where I've put them. 10/10 - Would recommend.
2) When my parents moved into their house a couple of years ago, I discovered a cupboard over the stairs that has a handle on the outside, but not on the inside. - I sent my sister into the cupboard to "fetch" something and shut the door behind her. Emma then proceeded to realise there was no light in the cupboard, and because she had her phone which is equipped with a torch she "Wasn't bothered". That's a red rag to a bull, so I opened the door, took her phone and shut the door again... She was in the cupboard for well over an hour.
3) Emma wears glasses and is short. I regularly steal her glasses and hang them from a light fitting where she can't reach them.
4) Emma was once brave enough to call me childish (Can you believe it?!). I asked her to apologise. She wouldn't. I locked her outside and made her promise to write me a formal apology. The actual picture of the apology is below for anyone interested. Oh, and for the record... I have only 1 sister.
5) Emma has a VW Golf, when she's not looking, I like to find her car keys, open the car, adjust all her mirrors, move her seat to a position about an inch away from the steering wheel, put the fans on full, and lift up all her wipers. Again, another slow burner, which also results in an angry text.
Now, I'll be the first to admit, reading that back, you'd be forgiven for thinking that I am quite literally the worst brother in the world. However, I can promise you, Emma knows I mean no harm, and if for whatever reason I stopped winding her up, she'd think something was seriously wrong with me, that's just how we've always got on. If you've ever watched the program Friday Night Dinner, me and Emma get on just the same way Adam and Johnny do. That's literally the best way I can think to describe the dynamic between us.
But, for all the times I've made her angry, I am exceptionally proud of my little sister. She went to uni and got a degree in marketing even though everyone doubted her and said she couldn't do it and is one of the few people I know who actually has a job that's relevant to her qualification, that she's happy in, and excelling at. She really is a hell of a lot smarter than people give her credit for.
Emma is also incredibly stubborn, but stubborn in the best way possible because she just doesn't quit. She always sticks to her values, and despite being the outspoken sibling (Which I'm sure she'll agree with) I've never once known her to be a doormat or give into people if she doesn't agree. If Emma doesn't want to do something, hell will literally have to freeze over before she gives in.
She's the most fantastic Aunty in the world, and both my children, Alfie and Alice, worship the ground she walks on. And who could blame them? She's the perfect role model and If either of them grow up to have even half the values Emma has, I'll be exceptionally proud of them both.
Rounding things off though, always include your siblings in the wedding day plans. Be it asking your sister to be a bridesmaid, or asking a brother to be a groomsman, siblings are your best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future. Brothers and sisters of the Bride/Groom will always tell the best stories about their siblings, know all the gritty details, and regardless of whether they tell you or not, they'll be properly proud of you... Even if they are putting salt in each other's drinks when no one's looking!
Peace, Love and Photos.
Jono x