Four’s Company: Layman Quadruplets share they are more than just siblings

Fourteen years ago, David and Susan Layman woke up and found the walls of their house painted bright, hot pink with four guilty looking four year olds with pink paint stained on their fingers. Seniors Aaron, Ally, Dawson, and Stephen Layman have been getting into trouble and helping the others out of it since birth, seeing that they are quadruplets. That particular incident was caused by all four of them sneaking out of their beds at night and stealing art supplies from their art majoring older sister to paint their house a neon pink.

“My relationship with each brother differs. I joke that Dawson is my stereotypical jock brother. Our relationship is very joking and if we talk it is either in passing or through argument because honestly we just don’t get along. Typically we are always joking around and making fun of the other person. I wrote an entire essay on how Stephen is my example of strength and how he has truly overcome so much in our lives; he is also funny and can make any situation fun. Aaron is my brother who comes into my room and tells me stories, neverending stories,” Ally Layman said.

The four Laymans are all different and unique, and each play a role into the family dynamic. It helps balance out the family and lets them each succeed in their own individual skills and hobbies.

Aaron was identified by all siblings as the smart, technology-centered one. He is into robotics, computers, and anything to do with technology.  He is the guy to call whenever technology breaks or something just is not going right. Aaron is into robotics and plans on going to the University of Arkansas for engineering. His first year, he plans on doing base, core engineering and then mechanical engineering as a major and electrical engineering as a minor.  

“Being a quadruplet, I have a whole new perspective on looking out for people. I have three siblings I have to watch over and make sure they are doing alright. If one of them gets hurt or into a fight or something, I have a sense that I want to protect them and be there to help them,” Aaron Layman said.

Ally Layman is the only girl out of the four of them and admits that she can be spoiled because of that.

“My mom thinks it is amazing to have a princess of a daughter, which is not necessarily how I view myself, but it has always been different for me being the only girl,” Ally Layman said, “My dad loves having three boys so he will take them out and do a lot of stuff with them, so I have a closer relationship with my mom because I am the only girl.”

Ally was called the smartest by all her brothers, as she is heavily into academics and takes as many Advanced Placement classes as she can. She has always had a variety of interests, from ballet to band to joining Debate this year. Ally also will always have her brothers there to protect her, as Aaron stated that if anything were to happen to her, Stephen, Dawson, and himself would be there to protect her.

“Dawson is the athletic one. If we need something that needs anything that takes physical effort, like move something, he is there to help us,” Aaron Layman said.

Dawson Layman played football until his sophomore year and is now the swim and dive captain. He went to state last year and plans on going again this year. He also shows hogs for FFA and enjoys spending time outside. He loves anything that involves getting outdoors and doing something athletic.

“I love being a quadruplet because you are never alone- almost to the point where you want to be. I also learned how to share things and not be selfish,” Dawson Layman said.

Stephen Layman is very musical. He likes to write stories, sing and play guitar. Stephen also is being described by his siblings as always lightening the mood and being able to crack a joke.

“He makes life so much fun, and I think that someone like Stephen totally has the opportunity to not make it that way,” Ally Layman said.

Stephen has health issues that make it difficult for him to walk, along with other complications that were caused by being a quadruplet. These struggles do not stop Stephen and actually make him an even stronger person, a bigger role model, and he unites the family together.

“I think that when you share a birthday with a person and that same birth caused his complications, it makes you think how easily it could be you. It also makes you think how we are all in this together, we started together and we all want to finish together. We want Stephen to graduate with us and we want Stephen to have the same opportunities as us. In a way, it has bonded us together by wanting to help each other out,” Ally Layman said.

Overall, all four agreed that having three siblings your own age makes you never have to do anything alone. They are more than just family- they are also best friends that will always be there for each other.

“I don’t think I could handle being an older child. My brothers and my sisters are my best friends,” Stephen Layman said.