National Siblings Day. Toledo Area Family Photography.

Including some of Rebecca’s favorite sibling moments she has documented.

GUEST WRITER AMY CHRISTENSEN

Friday, April 10th is National Siblings Day. Having siblings definitely helps to define who we are. Growing up around other children enables us to learn the value of sharing with someone else, and caring about someone else. I grew up with two older brothers. The age range between my oldest brother and myself was ten years. That made a big difference as I grew up. By the time I was entering kindergarten he was learning how to drive a car. When I started junior high he was already married with a child of his own.

My middle brother was a different story. We fought like cats and dogs. He used to punch me in the shoulder, until I learned how to punch back. I remember one occasion where we were playing down by the creek that flowed behind our house. He asked me if I wanted a piggy back ride. I was only about five or six and thought that would be fun. He picked me up and carried me to a large rock that stood in the middle of the creek and there he left me. He came back eventually after I had finished screaming and started crying.

“Siblings: your only enemy you can’t live without.”

— Anonymous

Sibling love, sibling hate and sibling rivalry are all part of the package of growing up with others in your pack. The pack mentality can be an asset when other children start picking on you at school, or if you want to play a game of baseball with other kids in the neighborhood. I grew up with a school friend who had seven siblings. I used to love to go over to her house, because they were always doing something fun, from volleyball games to home made movies. Besides I thought one of her older brothers was cute!

“I may fight with my siblings. But once you lay a finger on them, you’ll be facing me.”

— Abby Slater

As we’ve grown older the personality quirks and characteristics of my siblings that seemed to cause distance, have been replaced by the common chords binding us, that of our heritage. In a united way we each remember details of picnics, holidays, trips and events that revive a bond filled with a broad spectrum of emotion, but especially laughter.

“As siblings we were inextricably bound, even though our connections were loose and frayed. And each time we met, we discovered to our surprise and dismay how quickly the intensity of childhood feelings reappeared– No matter how old we got or how oft.”

— Jane Mersky Leder

An important part of the sibling experience, especially in the retelling of memories are photographs. A well done photo can bring back a memory like a movie replaying a famous scene. Photos of my brothers and I remind me of who I was, where I belonged and that I was part of something bigger and better than just myself. We had family portraits taken at our church by a professional photographer hired for the church directory. At that point in time we dressed in our best, mom and I in a pretty dress and dad and the boys in suits and a tie.

While the look of portraits has changed significantly, family and sibling pictures are still as important today as they were 50 years ago. Now, however, photographers like Rebecca can take photos in beautiful outdoor settings with families dressed as formally or informally as they want. Siblings portraits are not just for young people. Why not gather all your sibs together for a special weekend of food, family, and memories and include a time to have professional quality portraits taken. Toledo area photographer Rebecca Trumbull is the perfect choice to capture your sibling memories, young and old.

Having quality photographs of your pack will be something to cherish and help you remember all those special times.