Lydia Osborne, a junior at NUHS and the youngest of eight siblings, enjoys the business of her big family.

“The house is barely ever empty, which I love because I enjoy being with people,” she said. “All my siblings care for and look out for me in different ways. Our personalities are unique but similar enough that it’s perfect. I always look forward to getting together with everyone—my siblings, nieces, and nephews—and so much more, haha.” While Lydia loves the close bond she shares with her family, she admits there’s one downside to being the youngest: “I didn’t love all the hand-me-downs,” she said, laughing.

“There aren’t any serious rivalries in our family. My brothers like to joke around with each other, but it’s nothing serious,” Lydia said. However, some competition was unavoidable between James, who was two years younger, and his older brother Charlie during their basketball careers at NUHS. “When I was in my first years of varsity it was more of me looking up to him (Charlie) as a teammate and older brother. As I got older, it turned more into a competition on who is the better brother, and it pushed me,” James said.

Being the youngest of eight siblings isn’t always as easy as one would think. “Sometimes I find that I am comparing myself to my siblings in different ways, because I look up to them and want to be like them in different ways, but not too often,” Lydia said. “They’ve all done amazing things, so it can be hard not to, but they’ve also helped me feel confident in being myself.” For Lydia, having lots of older siblings means lots of role models.

One of her favorite things about her family is the constant support they provide. “Yes, I love having a built-in support system,” Lydia said. “It’s amazing to have so many people in my corner without a doubt. I know I always have them no matter what and that they will always support me.” She says her family’s encouragement has been a huge part of her life and something she doesn’t take for granted.

The family also has a history in New Ulm schools. “The first five of my siblings graduated from Cathedral, and then me, Hannah, James, and Charlie switched over after 1st grade,” Lydia said.

Looking back, Lydia says she wouldn’t trade growing up in a big family for anything. “Having a big family means constant chaos, but it also means constant support,” she said. “It’s who we are, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”