I am the oldest of three kids, and my brothers are two years and five years younger than me. As rough as growing up in a house with just brothers is, it has some benefits.
1. You learn how to stand up for yourself.
Nothing is worse than the constant ridicule you get from your brothers. They are always teasing you, getting under your skin, trying to pick a fight, whatever they can do to get a reaction out of you. It took me a long time, but I finally was able to stand up for myself and not take what they say so seriously.
2. You are (usually) always spoiled.
You're daddy's little girl. You're momma's only girl. You get the best of both worlds. You get to do all the fun girly things with just your mom, and you always know how to work your dad (most of the time).
3. You get the best gig on vacations.
Any time we stay in a hotel where there are two beds, or go on a trip where there is only two bedrooms for the three kids, I always got my own bed, being the only girl, or own room, because boys are gross. On a family trip to Gatlinburg, the upstairs bedrooms were a loft with two twin beds sharing a small bathroom with a tiny shower, and a king size bed with a Jacuzzi tub. You can guess where I slept that week.
4. You never have to worry about boys hurting you.
Having brothers is basically like having full time, really scary body guards. Someone messes with you? Breaks your heart? They better start running.
5. You understand sports, so you aren't the girl asking "was that a goal?" at a baseball game.
Either by choice or force, your house was male dominated, so a lot of time is spent watching sports, playing sports, going to games, etc. You're around it so much you just know it, and you don't have to be "that girl" who doesn't understand the difference between a football and a soccer ball.
6. You're more adventurous.
When it came time to play outside, you were doing "boy" things, because who wants to always be alone. Climbing trees, playing baseball, playing in the creek, whatever the boys wanted to do. You are willing to try new things, to venture outside the lines, because you grew up doing it.
7. You also are comfortable with being alone.
There are some times where it's really too much for a girl. So you're used to reading a book alone, or riding your bike alone, or just being out of the joke at dinner. You are comfortable with having to be alone, because sometimes it's better than watching the tenth basketball game of the day.
8. They are always there.
From the pesky, annoying little brother stage, to the high school years, your brothers are always there. For a trip to Chipotle, someone to watch a movie with, someone to vent about your parents to, someone to get unbiased advice, and someone to make stupid mistakes with, your brothers are there every step of the way.
9. You get the male side of your drama.
Anytime I was having issues and told my brothers, they would ground me and tell it like it is. They give the male perspective, which is usually that you're overreacting, so they keep you from getting wrapped up in the teenage drama in middle school and high school.
10. They set expectations for what kind of person you want to end up with.
You know your brothers, the sensitive sides, the masculine side, the funny side. Every aspect of their personality, you've grown up with. You know that you want your future husband to be like them (in some ways) because you couldn't have asked for better brothers.
They may annoy the hell out of me, tease me, and make me want to rip my hair out, but I love them more than they know.
