A brother is a friend given by nature. ~Jean-Baptiste Legouvé

As my boys grow older, their schedules are more hectic, their calendars are filled with activities and dates with friends as well as work, Scouts, and homework obligations.

I like the busyness but sometimes it feels like we are ships passing through the night. This past weekend our family flotilla departed at various times, all of us headed to multiple destinations.

Our younger son was out the door to play Pokémon Go with a group of friends, followed by a movie and a sleepover. My older son spent his weekend lifeguarding, teaching swim lessons, and surfing with his friends.

My husband and I shuttled the kids to their respective destinations and returned to our quiet home. It was delightful to have a respite yet bittersweet as we glimpsed into the future of an empty nest.

It seemed like yesterday the boys bickered over Legos and teased each other relentlessly. There were days they couldn’t stand to be in the same room and a lot of calling out “Mom!!!” as I did my best not to take sides.

Three years and seven months separate the two. My older son was always gentle, patient, and caring with his younger brother; said younger brother always tried to see how far he could push the envelope and try to send his older brother over the edge.

Lately, there has been a shift in the dynamics between the two.

This past Saturday afternoon when I picked up my older son from his lifeguarding shift, he said: “Mom, I haven’t seen C since yesterday morning and I won’t see him until tomorrow afternoon. I miss my little brother.”

On Saturday evening, I picked up my younger son and his buddies from the movies and drove them to a friend’s house for a sleepover. On the way, my younger son said to me: “Mom, I haven’t seen K since yesterday morning. I miss seeing him.”

Their observations demonstrated the gentleness and caring between the two of them and after having witnessed their battles and brawls, I had been looking forward to this day; seeing the longing for each other melted my heart.

When Sunday afternoon rolled around, and they were reunited, there was laughter and a lot of chatter as they shared details about their weekend and talked video games.

My sons are maturing and nurturing their relationship and I am at peace knowing they love, care, and respect each other. I think that’s all any mother wants for her children.