Destiny Vignette//My Brother’s High School Sweetheart

My Brother’s High School Sweetheart

My brother Jonathan, or Jon, went out with a girl named Kathleen, or Kat, in his first year in high school. Everyone knew they were going to get married—they always acted more and more like it every time I saw them. Everyone would tease them about it too, but it was all in good taste. Who knew it would actually come true?

Actually, I always believed they would get married. They always looked like they were meant for each other. I hurt my cheeks smiling so much on their wedding day. It was an Asian wedding, just like I would have one day. I never had much taste for the Christian one anyway. Their wedding was a short time after my graduation from college.

It wasn’t long before Hana came along, either. Hana was Jon and Kat’s firstborn, a beautiful little girl. It was their daughter, my niece. Kat had chosen the name for her, though I know years earlier she and Jon had talked about kids already—they even role-played it in high school.

I tried to spend as much time as I could with that little girl, taking her out to playgrounds and babysitting her and stuff; though with my job keeping me occupied often, I couldn’t find much time to do that. That cute little baby soon had a little brother, whom Jon had chosen the name Andy for, after my other brother. My nephew was just as adorable too! I wish I could have spent more time with him, as well.

Hana and Andy were two years apart. Hana was about four years old when I went to live in Japan with my little sister Amanda. It was amazing that when I got back they were so big! They grew up so much, I regret missing it. Around the time I got back, Hana was seven and Andy was five. Andy was still innocent and adorable, and Hana had matured. Jon and Kat did a good job raising a family, unlike what my parents predicted of Jon.

I remember when I got back, Hana asked me about Japan. I had a great time telling her about it, and I learned Kat was starting to teach her Japanese, since Kat had learned for years. I was excited to see how well she would do, and eventually Andy too. I also saw how Hana and Andy were drawing—most likely the talent came from Jon. I was happy to show them what I did for a living, too, and they were excited little kids dreaming they could do that too someday.

Anyway, that’s my brother, my sister-in-law, and my great and adorable niece and nephew.