
And then my mom got pregnant. Again. And at that point I was 11 and knew where babies came from and so it was just like EW. STOP. THAT. But I was still thrilled, obviously. I complain about being the oldest, but I love it. All of that power...
But we had another surprise when we found out that this baby was going to be a boy. Now, my parents are absolutely the two smartest people that I know. But for some reason, this outcome never really occurred to them, and everyone just assumed that it would be another girl, and the close age difference between my then two year old sister Caroline would be ideal, and they'd do girly crap together. I'm serious, Internet, when I tell you that we were FLOORED. This might be why I fail so hard at science and logic, actually. It's clearly genetic.

He'll kill me for writing about him like this, but I have to, and I'll explain in a moment. I remember mornings with Josh at around 5 years old, when he'd pad around the kitchen in slippers and a navy blue bathrobe, identical to my dad's. I'd go in for a kiss before leaving for school and he'd stop me-"Only if you aren't wearing lipstick," he'd say, and I'd lie every time, stealing a kiss and leaving a trail of gloss for him to furiously wipe off as I ran out the door. He'd watch the "Today" show every morning, and he knows more than me about almost everything. I was 16 then, and I'd take him with me to my school newspaper's deadlines sometimes, him clutching my hand as we walked down high-school hallways with lockers twice his size.


As I looked through Facebook to find pictures of him to post, I realized how many of them are of Josh at events for his older sisters. Bat-mitzvahs, our various graduations, Caroline's vocal concerts. It's hard being the oldest, but I have no doubt it's hard being the baby too. And I can't wait for us all to sit in the stands and get the opportunity to celebrate this wonderful, beautiful boy.
I love you, Josh-I wish you the most wonderful things in life, and no matter how much taller than me you get, or how far away you move, I'll always be your big sister, and one of your biggest fans.