A Whole Hand!

Today is the 5th birthday of Charles Weston Hommen II aka C.J. (Jeromy's brother/my brother-in-law). Jeromy is the oldest of four at nearly 26, C.J., the youngest at 5.
Having a brother/brother-in-law so much younger (nearly 21 years to be precise) is an interesting situation. Jeromy and I are, very feasibly, old enough to be C.J.'s parents. In fact, that assumption has been made by strangers on more than one occasion. You become more of a parent, an aunt/uncle, etc. than a brother/sister... but loving him so much all the same.
Particularly because I don't have younger brothers or sisters, I'm finding myself very nostalgic today. Jeromy and I have been together long enough (about 6 1/2 years), that we were dating when C.J. was born.
I remember quite distinctly February 12, 2004. Jeromy and I left Luther College, and picked up a very excited big sister Gracia from school. The three of us trekked up to St. Mary's hospital in Rochester to visit Mary, Chuck, and newborn C.J.
I remember when they wheeled him into the room in his little bassinet. He wailed and cried and waved his little hands jazz-hand style (this is a story I will frequently tell him now).
Since Jeromy and I went to college (Luther College) in the same town his parents live (Decorah, IA), we were able to watch C.J. grow throughout the first year or so of his life. We remember his first words, his first steps, etc. It's been a blessing to watch him grow.
So here's to you, little bro! We love you very much. We are so happy to have watched you grow these last 5 years, and cannot wait to see what the next 5...10...15...20 and beyond years will bring. Here's to being 5...a whole hand!