More than brothers

By Angel Hernandez

Growing up, my older brother has always been someone I looked up to, even if we wouldn't get along when we were younger. Whether where we would get along, arguing over small things, or just spending time together, he has always been a big part of my life. As the older sibling, he naturally took on the role of guiding me, even in ways he probably didn’t realize. 

One memory that really shows our bond happened recently when my brother accompanied me to see a band I’ve loved for a long time in San Francisco. The moment they announced their tour and I saw they were coming here, I immediately told him and bought the tickets without even thinking twice. I had been waiting for this moment for so long, and the fact that he agreed to go with me made it even more special. That day, it wasn’t just about the music, it was about sharing something important to me with someone who actually cared enough to be there. 

Being able to experience that together showed me how much our relationship has grown, and how he supports me in ways that really matter and how he cared about how it meant to me that we were able to go. 

Juan:”I was thinking oh my god I'm old because my back was killing me, but I was having fun because you were having fun and I knew it meant a lot to you. And I had a lot more fun because we had free parking. That was really great. But yeah no actually they were a pretty good band though. I think there are i think a couple more albums and they'll get there they'll be up there maybe two to three but it was fine”

That moment made me realize how much our relationship has changed over time. When we were younger We didn't always get along but now we understand each other more and actually enjoy spending time with each other.  We didn't always get along when we were kids . My brother and I have a big age gap of nine years. In his teenage years I was still in elementary school so I would just seem like just the annoying little brother and from then we wouldn't talk or bond really until I started to age and just seem cooler in his eyes. 

Juan:”I don't know, we're a lot closer now. Now that our age. Yeah I guess that would be like age gap that's closing in, right because the older you get the less you know the less crazy the less different your life is.”

Him going with me to that concert showed me that he cares about the things that matter to me, even if they're not his favorite. It also reminded me that he’s always been there for me in his own way. As we’ve grown older, our bond has become stronger, and moments like that prove that we’re not just brothers, but also friends.

Juan:”But it's also like, I'm your friend, but also want to guide you towards the right path.”

Another thing that really shows our bond is how often we go to events together. Whether it's going to sharks games, seeing live bands, or even going to comedy shows we always find ways to share experiences outside of home. These moments are never just about the event itself, but about spending time together and making memories. At games, we get caught up in the excitement of the crowd. At concerts, we enjoy the music and talk about our favorite parts afterward. Even at comedy shows, we end up laughing at the same jokes and joking with each other on the way home. These experiences have become something I look forward to because they show that no matter what we’re doing, we can always have a good time together.

One of the most difficult experiences we have gone through together was the passing of our mother. It was a time that changed both of us in ways that are hard to put into words. During that period, we had to rely on each other more than ever, even when everything felt overwhelming. We had to keep pushing in a way to move on forward. I would say there were moments of silence, moments of sadness, and moments of confusion and why, and moments where we didn't know how to move on. but we were still there for each other through it all. Going through something so painful together made our bond stronger in a way I didn’t fully understand at the time. It showed me that even in the hardest moments of life, we are not alone as long as we have each other. Over time that experience became something that shaped how we support each other today, and it connects to all the moments we now share together.

Juan:`”Um i was thinking about thinking about how do we move on?How do we Yeah how do we move on. Where do we go from here?. And I thought about you and I thought about dad.and then I thought well what are they gonna need what are they gonna want you know like how what can i do to get them through this. Yeah it was all about us”.

Looking back, I feel grateful to have this bond with my brother like most people don't. He has been there through different stages of my life from childhood memories to the moments we share now as we get older. Even when we don’t always agree, there is still a bond between us that doesn’t go away. I know that as we continue growing up, we’ll keep creating new memories together, whether it’s going to events, exploring new places, or just spending time together like we always do. No matter where life takes us, I know he will always be an important part of my life, and I will always be grateful for that connection.