Fear, Caedmon, Gunnar and Owen Churchwell (left to right) stand in Cancun, Mexico posing for a picture in 2016. ODYSSEY Media Group staff writer Gunnar Churchwell has been influenced by his three older brothers throughout his life. Photo courtesy of Ceci Churchwell
Sophomore Gunnar Churchwell reflects on his family dynamic with his three older brothers.
“What is it like having three older brothers?” they ask.
Throughout the 15 years of my life, I have been known for having to put up with three older brothers — all of whom have very different and complex personalities.
First, there’s Fear. He has always pulled off the reputation of being really smart, or he has at least in my eyes. He’s tall, goofy and if you throw a football at him, he can’t catch it to save his life.
Next came Owen, or “Slowen,” as my mom likes to call him. Owen is great at a lot of things, but most of the time, speed isn’t his thing. He’s adored by the ladies and by all of his teachers. He loves the outdoors, and no matter what, he will try to do everything perfectly.
After Owen, we have the family sweetheart, Caedmon. He’s very gentle and affectionate. He’s also aware of others’ feelings and was really chubby as a kid. Every time I swim a bad race, Cademon is always the first person to try and help me, even when I’m down.
Finally, I was born in the fall of 2002.
I’m the youngest in the family — at least that I know of. I’m short because I’m a late bloomer, and when I am constantly teased about my height, I am not afraid to trade insults back and forth just to try to show how macho I am.
So what is it like having three older brothers?
It can be challenging when all of them decide to have a “pick on Gunnar” session, or when Fear watches WWE and wants someone to manhandle.
But the part people forget is how much of a blessing it is to have three people to look up to under the same roof.
It’s a blessing to have people to hang out with when there’s nothing to do.
It’s a blessing when you’re feeling sad and you have three people who have all been through the same thing telling you it’s going to be OK.
So when people ask, “What’s it like to have three older brothers?”, my reply is always, “It is the best thing that ever happened to me.”
