In a couple of weeks, my other half’s sibling will make our home his temporary abode, a prospect that fills me with joy. I recall his previous visit, during which intrigue ensued with my other half – who was engaged in a business call from our kitchen – totally oblivious. We had to scheme to extract more Milky Way stars after he had firmly denied any further requests. His little sibling, a kindergarten student with a knack for mischief, was our accomplice, dispatched to procure the hidden chocolates, his tiny hands just the right size for the task.
In case you’re doing a mental arithmetic and deciding on filing a potential police report – allow me to clarify. My partner and I share the same number of years and though we haven’t made our vows officially, I address his sibling as my brother-in-law, a common Australian practice. Reiterating ‘my partner’s brother’ each time sounds tedious to my ears.
Having my partner’s brother who is a young schoolboy presents its own perks. There’s never a worry about him borrowing money, unless it’s a request for an ice-cream, an expense I consider essential. He won’t deplete your stash of beers nor is he likely to wake you up with a call from a local police station, seeking help for an early morning bail. Occupation, choice of vehicle and such adult-related jargon is lost on him, his interests lying in simpler pleasures like a box filled with various shading pencils and observing construction vehicles at work.
Family gatherings aren’t disrupted with talks of cryptocurrency or golfing techniques. More often, he’s showing everyone his preferred YouTube clips explaining how an airplane lands – a sight more fascinating. Occasionally, he’ll also sing little melodies for us, which is more appealing than an adult strumming a less than perfect version of ‘WonderWall’ on a guitar.
Our conversations are always of substance. We never delve into redundant small talk like commenting on the day’s weather and neither of us pretend to be interested in discussing any home renovations. Instead, we dive straight into intriguing discussions about various subjects including aerodynamics of airplanes and possible names for every cat we see around the neighbourhood.
Additionally, I find joy in watching children’s TV series like Bluey. Although it’s a bit peculiar for an adult without kids to watch it alone, it becomes an enjoyable experience when accompanied by my brother-in-law who never questions my emotional attachment to animated dogs playing cricket.
What adds to the fun is seeing my partner confront his personality quirks reflected in a younger, more adorable package. For instance, when my partner advised my brother-in-law to use ‘quick feet’ while returning from the park, my brother-in-law took incredibly small steps, aligning his toe with the heel of the other foot. It was amusing and we all shared a hearty laugh knowing how we appreciate a good comedic scene. My partner, with a mix of apprehension and reverence, commented, ‘He’s so headstrong’. That was somewhat ironic coming from a man who was obstinate enough to avoid doctor’s visits even with a visibly fractured hand, post a GAA game.
As someone who has been a younger sibling, I can personally attest to the enthusiasm of being the little one in such a dynamic.
Notwithstanding their occasional willful contests and a massive age gap of more than 25 years, my partner and his brother share an amazing bond of friendship. It’s hard to tell who gets more thrilled about their meetings when they rush to give one another an affectionate hug.
Based on my own life experiences, it’s been equally wonderful to be the younger sibling. There’s a significant age gap of approximately 11 years between my elder brother and I, and this presented numerous amazing perks during my formative years. It was akin to having a trendy, younger parent who was able to drive yet also had a knack for smuggling illicit fireworks and teaching you to light them up while preserving most of your fingers. My older brother’s physique is frequently referred to in the poetic phrase “constructed akin to a brick lavatory”. During my adolescence, it was beneficial to have him seated on the opposite side of the dining table, silently terrifying any boyfriend I brought home into ensuring that they always treated me with respect.
Families differ vastly in forms and compositions, but I feel fortunate that, for now, my brother-in-law is pint-sized enough to accompany me to the Zoo, finding it as enjoyable as I do to explore.