Zach is always very careful. He respects authority in a way I can't fully understand. I hope over the years, I've hardened him a little on that subject, but he's still more obedient than I am. He always took punishment MUCH more seriously than I did. I remember during the pre-Ellie years when we were always getting in trouble together. We were literally partners in crime, and not in the fun way we usually say that. I was probably always the instigator and just dragged Zach down with me. It seemed like every Sunday on the way home from church, Zach and I would do something that upset Dad and he would inform us that we would each be getting seven swats when we got home. To Zach, this was like hearing he was about to get his leg torn off. The very thought of getting any swats was torture for him. And when the time finally came, I could hear from the guest room Zach screaming like he was actually getting his leg torn off. I've always respected his respect of authority, but I've never agreed with it. I'm just more of a rebel I guess. But he was my very first friend and I will love him forever for that.
Ellie, on the other hand, is sneaky like me. When she told Dad she was riding her bike for an hour or so, she was really riding to Subway and eating sandwiches. That's something I totally would have done, and I probably did some form of that in my high school years. One thing I love about Ellie is that even though she's my little sister and little sisters usually need protecting, she doesn't need any! She's ferocious and independent and isn't spending most of her time looking for a guy, which makes it a ton easier for Zach and me. One thing I miss about Ellie is when we would go get food and just talk. Sometimes it was a milk shake at Chickfila and sometimes it was cheese dip at Happy Mexican. Either way, I miss having that time with her every once in a while. She was my friend I could talk to about anything, and I know she would never tell anyone else. She probably has most of my secrets.
I hope I've always set at least just an example for them, whether it was good or bad, since you can learn from both. I've known them and loved them and watched them grow up for their whole lives, and unlike everyone's Facebook posts, I haven't loved every minute of it. There were times we all hated each other! Although we all have our own personal fighting styles, here's what I admire about Zach's and Ellie's.
Zach, like I said, is very careful. He only seizes power in a situation when he knows he can get it. And when he gets it, there's absolutely no way for anyone to get it back. That's annoying for me because I can get a little risky with my power moves. And when one way doesn't work, the tide shifts, and I'm at his mercy. He's smart like that.
Fights with Ellie are different because 1, she's a girl, and 2, she's the youngest. She has two people on her side that will always intervene on her behalf: Mom and Dad. It's a sneaky tactic, because no matter who started it, Ellie usually ends it, and it's Zach or me who ends up getting the "please be nice to Ellie" talk from the parents. Every time that happens I get this feeling she's somewhere listening and smiling maniacally. She always picks the winning side, which makes her a winner.
I've always wondered what it would be like if we teamed up against the parents because we outnumber them! I don't know why we never thought of that. But I love when the three of us team up. Even if just two of us are on a team, that team will probably win. Because we're all fighters, we're all smart, and we're extremely likeable. So here's to you, Zach and Ellie! May we continue to dominate the cousins, and always have each other's backs!
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