won't you be my brother

As my friend Jill so often says "Seth was born to be a big brother" and he truly was. Unfortunately, Seth's younger brother lost his battle with cancer almost one year ago. Though Seth's little brother, Gray, may no longer be on this Earth that hasn't stopped Seth from still being a big brother...to my boys. Sure Maddox has his own big brother but what's better than having ONE big brother? Having TWO of course!!!! I can't say enough about who Seth is as a young man and how proud I am of him and the role he plays in our family. He truly is one of our boys and he fits perfectly.

Seth came over a couple of weeks ago and he and Maddox were playing in the backyard. Some big rain clouds began building on the horizon and as I kept my eye on the boys jumping on the trampoline I peeked out just in time to see a very special, sweet and sincere moment between these two boys...

After playing hard and wearing themselves out, the boys were both laid out on the trampoline, reclined with their hands behind their heads watching the clouds move and build in the distance. My heart melted in the instant I saw them laying side by side. If this picture doesn't say "big brother" I don't know what does.

Seth took time to point out specific clouds to Maddox. I couldn't hear what they were saying when I snuck these pics but I can only imagine what they were talking about.

The clouds truly were beautiful that evening.

My boys. Brothers. Friends for life. Family. Love.

It is in times like these, moments like these, that I truly reflect and allow myself to feel the weight of sentimental emotions that come when you let love have its way. I don't remember how much laundry I had to do that day, what dishes were piled in the sink or how many things were on my to-do list for the next day...but what I do remember is the moment my baby and his oldest big brother bonded over looking at the clouds together. That picture is forever memorialized in the picture I took that day but it is also forever engraved on my heart. These boys teach me so much and I love them with all my heart.