After years of the Large family going back-and-forth, we may never know
By Marcy Patterson
Through Facebook, many people in the community are aware of the “Favorite Child” competition held between siblings Lori Large Oldenettal and her slightly younger brother, David Large.
It’s sibling rivalry to the extreme.
Dad Mike Large died in November 2006. Mom Kris married Bob Kessler in 2011 and the joke started about who was the favorite child.
For example, Lori Large Oldenettal initially was walking into a room with her kids (one on each hip) and came face-to-face with t-shirts saying “David is the favorite child.”
The following year, Oldenettal took the shirts but changed the “is” to “was.” She also made everyone personalized
Christmas plates that read, “Must be hard to be married to the second favorite child.”
The playful rivalry used to be just for Christmastime. However, the frequency and intensity of the “Favorite Child” competition has escalated — and so has the money spent on the jokes.
There was $100 spent for a Jerry Springer cameo, after which Oldenettal attempted to get Maury in rebuttal.
Earlier this year, there was a “Favorite Child” entry in the Illinois College Parade.
David Large should have bowed out for the rest of this year but he was unable to handle the pressure of possible defeat, so he purchased the very large billboard space over McDonald’s, announcing in flashing lights that he is the favorite child.
Large claims that his sister has never won, while Oldenettal proudly displayed her Facebook folder of “evidence” that she clearly HAS won.
Meanwhile, another generation has chimed in, as the grandkids insist that THEY are the favorites, not their parents. (Large has 2 children; Oldenettal has 4.)
Whatever the case, this sibling rivalry has now welcomed outside input. At the Keith Bradbury Roast, for example, Bruce Surratt said he was tired of the favorite child event. A few minutes later, 8-10 people stood up and said David was the favorite child.
Regardless, we can all look forward to the next attempt to claim “Favorite Child.”
