There’s a specific kind of laughter that feels like your tummy is in a gym class, your cheeks ache, and tears stream down your face. That’s exactly what happened the last time my brother and sister decided to turn our childhood memories into their personal comedy special. This happened at home, last Christmas holiday.
Picture this: it was a Saturday afternoon, and we were all hanging out in the living room doing our own things, when my brother suddenly said, "Do you remember the Barbie Ballet Academy Ademide started?" I froze. My sister, without missing a beat, jumped up and started twirling dramatically around the room. "Point your toes! Graceful, not clumsy! That’s not a pirouette!" she shrieked, mimicking my high-pitched, wannabe-instructor voice.
I was already laughing, but my brother wasn’t about to let her have all the fun. "Oh, oh, and the Shaolin Taekwondo Training Camps!" he added, referencing the "lessons" I gave them after watching Shaolin Soccer. He proceeded to demonstrate the terrible stances I taught them, complete with exaggerated grunts, of which I'm pretty sure I didn't add.
At this point, I was already on the floor from laughing so hard at my childhood self, but they weren’t done. With wicked grins, they turned their attention to me, the eldest sibling. As if they wanted to get back at me, "And what about the lies you used to tell us?" my brother teased. "You have to eat carrots so you don't turn black and white" "If you continue plucking leaves and eating them without washing, they'll grow in your stomach." My sister gasped in mock horror, "I can't believe we actually believed you". Well, I can't believe I said those things either.
I couldn’t even defend myself because I was laughing too hard. And honestly, they weren’t wrong. As the eldest, I had to get creative to keep them in line.
Now, if you’re wondering who my favorite family member is, buckle up because that’s a loaded question. The truth? It’s hard to choose when every single one of them has perfected their unique craft of making my life both chaotic and amazing.
Let’s start with my mum. This woman deserves a crown. She’s not just the best listener; she’s a professional listener. You could tell her about the most mundane thing, and she would listen like it’s breaking news. And she doesn’t stop there. She immediately jumps into solution mode, like some kind of mom-therapist hybrid, lol. Lost your favorite lipstick? She’s already thinking of three stores where you can replace it. Having a bad day? She’ll whip out advice so good you’d think Oprah called her for notes. Honestly, I see so much of myself in her. The way I can lend an ear and then turn around to fix things? That’s all her.
Then, there’s my sister. She’s my ride-or-die gist partner. You want to talk fashion? She’s already pulling up Pinterest boards. Boys? Oh, she’s got theories and strategies that’ll make you feel like you’re planning a covert mission. Beauty hacks? Please, she’s the walking encyclopedia of all things trendy. We could talk for hours about absolutely nothing and still feel like we’ve solved the world’s problems, ha ha!
Now, let’s talk about my brother. The guy is like my sarcasm twin. If sarcasm were an Olympic sport, we’d both have gold medals. He doesn’t just tell jokes; he delivers them with the kind of precision that leaves you wondering whether to laugh or feel personally attacked. That’s talent. And honestly, our shared love for witty comebacks has bonded us in a way that only sarcastic siblings can understand. He's my evil twin.
And finally, there’s my dad. Oh, my dear "gen z father," as he loves to call himself. The man is a walking contradiction, old-school at heart but trying to keep up with the times. He uses slang like "lit" and "vibe" in the most cringe but adorable way possible. If you ever need a reminder that life doesn’t have to be so serious, just spend five minutes with him. He’ll leave you laughing, sometimes unintentionally, but always from a place of love. Yet, he gives the best advices.
So, back to the million-dollar question: who's my favorite family member? It’s like asking me to pick my favorite skincare product when every product has it purpose. They all bring something unique to the table, and together, they’re the perfect recipe for laughter, love, and a bit of madness.
When I think about it, my family is a constant reminder of why life’s little moments matter. The belly-aching laughter, the endless support, the late-night talks and of course, the fights; they make every day a little brighter such that even when I'm far away from them, some of our memories together makes me laugh. And while I’ll never officially crown a favorite (you know, to keep the peace), I’ll always cherish the fact that I hit the jackpot with them.
So, here’s to more laughs that make us cry, more sibling banter, and more moments where choosing a favorite family member feels downright impossible. Because honestly, with a family like mine, why would I want to?
All images in this article are mine.
Thank you for reading! :)