Our boys are as close as they can be without being twins. They are 17 months a part. Z. doesn't remember life without M. And M. never experienced life without Z. They antagonise one another. Love each other until it hurts. Wake each other up in the morning and from naps. Steal each others toys, destroy each others towers, Wrestle, play, compete for our affection. Look for each other when they've been away from each other for too long. Kiss and hug one another for no reason other than they can't keep a part. Try to console each other when they are sad. Make each other laugh. Run and chase. Did I mention that they wrestle? Wrestle, run, chase, kiss, hug, hit and repeat. Z. can't wait to start school, he talks about it all the time. I'm going to school tomorrow he says. And M. is coming? I've tried to explain that he won't be coming. It will be the first time in their life other than M.'s brief hospital stay when he was a newborn that they have ever been a part. They are always together. They are brothers and their bond is enviable.