I’m the youngest of 3 and the only girl so if you can image, I grew up being tormented by my two older brothers, Aaron (6 years older) & Daniel (4 years older). Even though they used to rip off my Barbie’s heads off and run around until I cried, or poked my cheeks until I’d scream, or steal my leftovers that I’d write my name on and strategically hide in the back of the fridge(they were scavengers during their growth spurts!!), I’ve always looked up to both of them. Figuratively and quite literally…

Dan is 6’4″ and Aaron is 6’2″ and I’m 5’3.5″ (although if I’m being honest, I always just say 5’4″ oops). My mom was 5’11” and her side of the family is all pretty tall, while my dad’s side of the family is pretty short. I definitely got more Wagner genes!

I love these tall goons and I’m extremely grateful for the blessing (and tyrants 🙂 ) they’ve been in my life so I wanted to share 4 things that my big brothers have taught me though my 24 years of life:

1. There’s so much freedom in trying things, even if you “fail”

I feel like part of why I learned this was because they were hard on me growing up, and I just had to keep pushing though. It’s okay to fail, to get back up, and to keep moving forward. That’s really true in all of our lives, isn’t it? All three of us have definitely made our fair share of mistakes, but you can learn SO much when you make mistakes, it’s almost as valuable as doing things right sometimes. With that, it’s important to have people in your corner, there for you as you go through this process in different seasons of life.

Just trying to get on their level…

2. It’s important to laugh & have fun

This isn’t hard when they’re around! Life is too fleeting to not play & have fun! Evidence below…

My mom made these polar bear costumes for her + my dad their first Halloween together & they’ve been used MANY times since! Good thing they fit my brothers perfectly 🙂

3. Exercise is good for your body and soul

Both my brothers are naturally athletic and sports have always been a big part of our family. Basketball, Soccer, Field Hockey, Dance, Volleyball, Tee ball, Track, Tennis, Hiking, Rock Climbing, Golf, Swim Team…you name it & we’ve probably done it (our mom always wanted us to try a bunch of things & if we didn’t like it, that’s okay…we tried! ha). Since college, I’ve kinda of gotten away from this, but one of my biggest goals in 2018 is to start getting back into regular exercise because my body feels so much better when I am. God created us that way! Dan & Aaron still prioritize this & all the benefits for your body and soul are so evident. I really respect that they still model this for me 🙂

4. God has blessed us beyond measure

Life is fleeting and so fragile and our family has felt particularly aware of that recently as our grandma’s health declines. I always want to remember how blessed we truly are and that we don’t deserve any of it. With some things, like family, my only response is to thank God. Yes there’s times my brothers still drive me up a wall (and I know there’s times I still make them crazy!), but even in the midst of that, I wouldn’t trade it and I’m so thankful to have them as my brothers and as my friends.

On my wedding day, I got to do a first look with my dad & brothers & this was so special to me!! It was definitely one of my favorite parts of our wedding day. Below is from Christmas this past year!

Give your siblings a hug or text or call today! We all have jacked up families, but hey, they’re family and we still have so much to be thankful for!

XO

Mon