ROOMMATE?

When my brother, Garrett told me he was going to move to Chicago, I was in shock. I was in the process of looking for a new apartment, just like every other renting Chicagoan in April. In those few words the entire dynamics of my search changed. Instead of looking for a cozy 1 bedroom I could afford...I was now looking for a 2 bedroom I could afford. He was moving here with no job and an anticipation of finishing grad school. So I wasn't sure what I could count on him to contribute to living expenses.

Putting monetary worries aside...there was another fear that loomed over my head. When I left home 8 years ago, I left my relationship with Garrett hanging on by a thread. When I was a senior in High School he was a freshman trying to make a name for himself and trying his hardest not to be tied to me in anyway. I was not the perfect student/teenager, I partied, snuck around and dated guys that were in no way a positive influence in my life. I don't blame him for not wanting to be tied to me. Don't get me wrong I was semi-popular, had tons of friends and played sports, but he was an amazing athlete and student. I was his polar opposite. Another knife in our relationship was the fact I disliked his girlfriend, he "loved". I didn't keep it to myself the disgust I had for her, which in turn created a huge rift. Later on in college that rift would worm it's way through my entire family and almost cause catastrophe. The longest time I spent with my brother since leaving college is possibly 10 days a year when we were home at the same time. These were all causes for concern. Not only for us but what would this mean for my personal/social life. I don't have boyfriend, but what if I met someone?Do I Need to explain? What if I wanted to go out with my friends and can't invite him? Would I be supporting him, could I afford to support him? There were so many concerns...

More important than my concerns are the positive possibilities. Create the relationship I forfeited when I moved away. I always had someone to explore the city with. I would finally have someone in the city who truly knows me and cares about me...not saying my close friends don't, but they are all busy people. Not to mention he will become my screening process for men I date...if it get serious enough for me to introduce them. I learned not to rush into that! Thanks Kalvin:)

When I walked into this apartment I knew this would work. It was a one bedroom condo with a large den. Perfect, Garrett had a room and I could afford the rent on my own if need be!!!! It all became real when my mom came to move me and with her came a bed. We put his room together and that was that...I would have a roommate once again!

He moved in a few weeks later, it started out feeling like he was visiting. I went to work, he would meet me after.If I had the day off we went out and about in the city, we tried restaurants, all things we have done when he has visited prior. Soon he found a great job and started getting into his own routine. I have alone time in the apartment, but we hang out when we can. We go out to dinner and go grocery shopping all things you would do with a roommate. Oh yeah he can split the rent...amazing!

I love being the big sister that got my brother to leave the comfort of the known in Iowa. We are from a small close knit community in Iowa and it is rare people leave the confines of the state. He has a past he wanted to leave in Iowa and I am more that happy to share the city I know and hopefully always call home.