Brother and sister reunited at Siblings Weekend after months apart
When she left home for college, Taylor Rainier was separated from her little brother Hunter for months.
But at Central Michigan University's Siblings Weekend, Rainier, a Lake City freshman and Hunter, 8, were reunited for a weekend of bonding through activities and events.
Rainier spent the whole weekend with her little brother. Hunter, who said he missed spending time with his sister, even stayed in a residence hall between activities and events.
“I’ve been waiting all week,” Hunter said. “I was really excited to see my sister because I’ve never slept there before and it’s really fun to be up here. I like seeing her smile.”
While at Siblings Weekend, the pair played laser tag, went to the carnival, played bingo and posed for caricatures of themselves.
“It was kind of funny because he drew (a caricature) and we had big heads and I don’t have a big head like that,” Hunter said.
Hunter’s favorite part of Siblings Weekend was playing games with his sister and winning prizes. He also enjoyed the pancake breakfast, where siblings were tossed pancakes and had to catch them on a plate.
“It was really really fun,” he said. “He had to actually give me my pancakes because I’m not that good of a catcher with the plate.”
Taylor Rainier was just as excited.
“I don’t get to spend much time with him,” Rainier said “It’s really nice to see him for more than five seconds."
Siblings Weekend created lasting memories for the pair, Rainier said. She hoped Hunter will remember the weekend in the future.
Thinking back to a family trip to Alaska, Taylor Rainier hoped Siblings Weekend will be as memorable as a walk through the frigid locale.
“My parents were on a date so I was watching him,” she said. “There was a river down the road and we took a walk and he was just so happy that I was with him and it was so simple and fun at the same time.”
Rainier said Siblings Weekend is extremely important to keeping a relationship with younger siblings.
“We’re gone all year and it’s nice to spend time with your little brothers and sisters,” Rainier said. “If you don’t make the time, you won’t (spend time) so it’s definitely important to do it and get out there.”
Rainier is excited for future Siblings Weekends where she can spend more time with her little brother.
“I’m excited to do caricatures and take pictures in front of the seal and put them up next to each other over the years,” Rainier said. “I can’t wait for the years where he’s going to change a ton, it’ll be crazy.”
