Easter early 1990s
Growing up as the only girl with 3 brothers, I naturally and wholeheartedly did everything they did, even in a dress. I was called “tomboy” before I ever knew what it meant and still loved it. Any way I was compared to my brothers was a compliment to me. My brothers never told me I couldn’t do anything they could do, except once, but I will bring that up in a bit
They climbed Magnolia trees bare-footed, so I climbed Magnolia trees bare-footed. They played football in the front yard, and I played along right beside them. Even though once it resulted in a broken middle finger on my right hand… I was the running back for my oldest brother, Chris. He handed it off to me. I’d like to remember I ran a good 15 or 20 yards (but it was probably closer to 5) when I was brought down by my 15 months younger-than-me brother, Jesse. Chris came to clear the pile (I’m pretty sure Jesse was fighting to get the ball from me) and as he intervened, his 15-year-old, size 11 shoe crushed my little 7-year-old finger. Injured by my own man. Sad. That ended the game and began a new one… Hide the broken finger from dad as long as possible to keep my brothers from getting in trouble. You see, my dad let me hang with my bros as long as I didn’t get hurt. But as soon as I did, someone would be getting a spanking. I knew what team meant even at a young age. I had to protect them, broken finger and all. Well, almost instantly my little finger was at least double its sizeand the nastiest coloring…purple, black and blue. After a day or two (I tend to think I’m tougher than I really am) when the pain was too much to bare I decided to tell my dad what happened. It went something like this, “Daddy, my finger hurts!” After looking at it: “Baby girl, what happened?!” “I fell on a rock.” “Fell on a rock?” He wasn’t convinced, naturally; it was a 7 year old’s lie. But I held true to my story, because in my mind there was nothing worse than getting my beloved brother in trouble. So he took me to my family physician and sure enough, a fractured finger. A metal stint and some tape later I got to go to 2nd grade with a cool story to tell. Football injury.
It was either from that point or getting hit in the head with a golf ball from a 50 yd drive by my brother Van, boxing with hunting gloves in our living room as Chris coached me and Van coached Jesse, the many games of wiffle ball and basketball played between us four and of course the many falls we cheered on the Georgia Bulldogs along side our dad and granddad that I knew I would forever be a guy’s girl. And I was. For most of my life I was looking up to one of my brothers, literally, as they are all 6 feet plus, and quite figuratively; I’ve followed them into shenanigans as much as they have allowed. The only thing they never let me do was hunt with them – they knew I couldn’t keep still or quiet for long. This was long before cell phones with apps kept ya distracted or even MP3 players and iPods. The only other thing they ever discouraged was bench pressing because they said I wouldn’t grow boobs if I did…I figured they were looking out for the older me so I thought I should listen. Looking back, it was clearly teenage boy heresy but I still appreciate it none the less. Everything else was spot on. They beat my hiney, with no mercy, in ping pong for so long that I eventually learned how to counteract their back spins; I could hit a line or corner shot like it was nothing. This eventually led to me beating fraternity boys and grown men while wearing a dress and I’ve loved that outcome more than some of my best accomplishments. They taught me how to be competitive, to love winning and hate losing. They caught (and were hit by many more) wild pitches from me in my fast pitch softball days when I was convinced I would be an amazing lefty pitcher, but it never came to fruition like my clutch spot at 1st base. And then, they followed my games 10 months a year from middle school to high school, from school ball to travel ball.
I could talk college football to anyone, especially UGA and SEC. When I was in middle school it was the beginning of the David Greene/David Pollack era at UGA and I fell hard for UGA even more. I knew what a screen pass and Hail Mary were long before I knew anything about makeup. The cornerback was my favorite position on the field because they were quick, smart, and fast. I loved a good interception run back for a touchdown. Defense scoring points. Especially when it was my big brother making those plays for the Morgan County Bulldogs. Chris Conner, number 41.
Whatever my brothers talked about, I talked about. Whatever they liked, I liked… Which is why I can rap quite a few Tupac, Outkast and 8-Ball & MJG songs from riding in the car with them day after day as my high school brothers drove Jesse and me to elementary school. I don’t know why my parents believed this was a good idea! I guess they thought it would keep them of trouble hauling their little brother and sister around but that wasn’t true.
There hasn’t been a UGA football season since group text was available that we weren’t CHEERING or yelling with each other about what was taking place on the field during some point of each game.
I’m not going to say life was all roses because it certainly was not, but we are closer because of it. We’ve been through some tough stuff, together and individually, but we always have and always will have each other’s backs. There is not a thing any of them have done or could do that would make me love them any more or less, and I know it’s the same way from them to me. My entire life, the Lord has given me a beautiful example of unconditional love from these men and I’m just now realizing it!
Chris and Me in Destin, Fl last Summer
Chris- My protector. Whenever Van or Jesse were picking on me or aggravating me Chris would always take up for me. He would blow dry my hair before bed and would braid it sometimes, too. This prepared him to be the great daddy he is to his daughter, Madison. He has such a big heart that has always made him very likable to anyone who knows him. He’s charming yet sincere. He’s an optimist. A go-getter. He can build and fix anything without instructions. He’s an athlete, still. He loves a good bball game with the Youth Group he leads. He can beat anyone in corn hole. He has an infectious smile. After going wayward for some years He came back to Jesus and it has been such a blessing to see the “new” Chris, the one God made Him to be. His walk with Jesus has inspired me and my walk more than he knows. I love you boo!
Me, Van and Chris after a UGA game years ago
Van- The only person I know who can make me go from standing completely upright to laying on the ground laugh-crying in a matter of seconds. Van is hilarious. He is quick-witted and brilliant. He retains information so beautifully; he is like our human encyclopedia. He knows so much about so much. He lived in Southern Cali for years so now he’s got that East Coast-West Coast swagger that only a few have. Van and I are kindred in our love for organic/health food stores. We love Whole Foods. I would call him in Cali while I was in Atlanta and we would both be hitting up the hot bar at our closest Whole Foods. Van can pull off sarcastic and dry humor like no one else. He always has a smirk on his face that is so endearing you can’t help but smile at him constantly. Van has never once greeted me without a huge hug, a kiss on the cheek and him telling me how pretty his sister is. Van, I can’t tell how much that means to me. It has never gone unnoticed. I love you so much and I’m so glad we’ve got you back here on this side of the USA. I can’t wait to play catch-up on the years you were away once I get home. I love and miss you so much Van!
Jesse and Me NYE 2013
Jesse- Oh my little big brother. Everyone thinks Jesse’s older than I. I mean look at him – he’s grown into a man. He towers over me. All our lives I was taller than he until one summer in his early teens he lost all body fat, grew 5 inches, and became an athlete. Most of our early life was spent fighting with each other. We were so close in age. Van always took Jesse’s side and Chris always took mine. We always seemed to pair this way during any kind of game or competition. Starting in high school things changed in many ways and we became best friends; we still are today. We’ve truly seen the best and worst in each other through our high school and college days, but we’ve always fought for each other and still loved one another. Jesse is my favorite person on this planet, and it’s easy to see. The girls on my teams here on the World Race say my whole demeanor changes when I talk to Jesse – my voice changes; it gets sweeter and I’m more interested in what he’s doing than I am with anyone else. It’s something I never noticed but I can’t deny it’s truth. I love that guy! If he hurts, I hurt. If he’s happy, I’m happy. I feel motherly towards him in a way that I don’t with anyone else, even our older two brothers. I care deeply about his well being. I want him to have a life he is proud of and a life he loves more than anything in this world. Jesse is one of those people everyone loves, from babies to the elderly. He is so personable and funny. He is the person you want on your trivia team because he’s a history buff, growing up reading every war book he could get his hands on. He loves sports and keeps his tv on ESPN. He is a music and comedy afficienado, and he’s always reading and watching current events. He’s so incredibly well rounded. We keep it real with each other even when we don’t agree with one another. He knows me better than most and I’m the same with him. We know each others’ hurts and the things we keep hidden from ourselves and others. I wouldn’t be the same without having grown up with Jesse as my best friend and brother. I love you so much bro bro!
All of you, I’ve never been more prideful about anything as I have y’all. Since I was little I loved telling people who my brothers were and I still do! Thank you for being exactly who you are! I am so thankful for each of your lives and how just being yourselves has played a huge part in my life and in who I am! Thank y’all for loving me so much my entire life and protecting me from the mean boys on the school bus when I was little through high school and beyond! Sometimes I wish I could loan y’all to girls without brothers so they could know what it is like to have bodyguards for brothers who love so dearly and would kick anyone’s hiney if need be. I’m glad I’ve never had to make that call but I know y’all would run to my rescue if I ever needed you to. I truly dream of the day when Van and Jesse will walk me down the aisle to my husband and Chris standing beside him ready to marry us. There is no one more deserving to give me away than you three. My future husband has huge shoes to fill but I know he will be worthy and will gladly accept the challenge of loving me, protecting me and seeing me how God and each of you see me. I love y’all so much! I miss y’all more than ever and can’t wait to see y’all in 4 months!
Chris, Jesse, Me, and Josh after my graduation from college
I would like to Honorably mention Josh and Payton who have loved me like a little sis my whole life too! I am so thankful to consider y’all my brothers as well! I miss y’all and your sweet families so so much!
Josh, I’m missing your mean grilling and can’t wait to come hang with you, Hillary and Grif on the deck at y’all’s house and around the pool at your parents’ house when I get back! I’ve missed y’all so much!!!
Payton and Me 4th of July in Madison years ago
Payton- I will seriously need some Crossfit with you and Bethany after carb loading for 11 months on the World Race. Also, Daisy has kept my team dying laughing with every hilarious status you put up about her commenting on Beth’s patience/patients and what women wear to hunt men on Family Feud! She’s hilarious!
