Growing up as the youngest child to two older brothers, I never took much time to appreciate them when I was young. Because they were six and ten years apart from me, for a while the age difference seemed like a divide between us. But as we got older we grew closer. Now that we’re all adults, we confide in each other and connect by being in similar places in life in a way we never could before. My brothers are my rock, and without them I wouldn’t be the person I am today. So here are a few reasons why older brothers are really the best siblings.
1. They're protective
From guiding you against all those bad boys growing up to giving their not-so-subtle opinions on every guy you date, older brothers really only want the best for you. You never have to worry about creepy guys hitting on you with your big brother around. Sometimes they may come across as a bit too overprotective, but they really only do it out of love. I don’t think my brothers will ever entirely approve of anyone I date, but I can appreciate the fact that they have high standards for me.
2. They always have your back
Even though they may not support every decision you make, older brothers are always there when you need them. No matter what you may be going through, chances are they’ve been there once too and they’ll be there to help anytime you need them. I’m thankful to have brothers that live close to me, and will drop everything to be by my side when I need them most.
3. They understand your family in a way no one else can
From bonding over our mom’s amazing family recipes to growing up with the same teachers in the same town, together we hold memories that we can only share through each other. We have so much history – both good and bad. We’ve faced judgment but we’ve also grown stronger. While it may not be something that everyone can understand, our way of life keeps us grounded and I’m thankful that it’s made me who I am.
4. You have an endless supply of extra t-shirts and hoodies
Although they may not enjoy me borrowing their clothes, my brother's closet is always the best place to find those perfect oversized flannels and t-shirts when I need them. Over time, I’ve amassed a collection of their old clothes that I still wear to this day. I don’t think I’ve ever had to pay for one of my flannels, and those extra t-shirts always come in handy on those days when I just want to be comfortable.
5. They’ll be there to teach you things you can’t learn from your parents
My brothers helped me in so many ways growing up, from teaching me how to play my Gameboy as a kid to showing me all of the best ways to get out of trouble. They’ve shown me how to get out of almost any situation with our parents. Anytime I had a question that I didn’t feel completely comfortable asking our parents, I would always go to my brothers. Without them, I’d probably still be trying to understand how to get around the track in Mario Kart.
6. They make family occasions better
Without my brothers, family events would be much less interesting. I don’t know how I would’ve gotten through family vacations without my brothers’ crazy antics and incredible ability to find fun in any situation. Whether we were stuck in a stuffy art history museum, or intertubing on the back of a boat at our uncle’s river house, my brothers have a state of mind that makes anything we do exciting and fun.
7. They’ll tell you when to “suck it up.”
Girls are expected to be more emotional than boys. But older brothers teach their sisters how to have thick skin. They will let you know when it’s time to on. All those “suck it up” moments growing up with my brothers taught me to be strong and to never give up.
8. They teach you how to laugh at yourself
If there’s anything that my brothers are good for, it’s reminding me that life isn’t always so serious. They help me appreciate the humor in silly pranks and practical jokes. They taught me to not take myself seriously all the time and to appreciate more of funny, awkward moments that I see every day.
9. They may not always know how to show it, but they really do care about you
They’ll be there to help with anything you’re going through, but they will also be the ones to call you out on your mistakes. They care about you and want to see you improve yourself. Although they may not sugar coat the situation and tell you what you want to hear, they tell you what you need to hear, so you should always try to listen to their advice.
10. They love you no matter what
Ultimately, my brothers are the ones I’ve looked up to since the day I was born, and they’ve been there to support me every step of the way. They’ve seen my mistakes and witnessed every slip up over the years, but they still love me exactly the same. Although we’re getting older and my brothers’ are off starting lives of their own, in the end, we’re still family and the love we hold together will always be unconditional.
