This morning I got up and walked into my brother’s empty room totally forgetting that he has recently moved out and so many emotions ran through my head. I can always remember waking up and running into his room hoping he was awake so we could go outside and play, and if he wasn’t, I would jump on his bed until he would wake up. I remember wanting to be exactly like my brother and loved when people used to ask if we were twins although he is three years older. This morning when I saw his empty room, I realized growing up that my older brother was always the most important man in my life and all I ever wanted to do was be his sidekick because he was and always will be my hero.

So here are 12 reasons why my older brother will always be my superhero:

1. He is MY best friend and he really has no other choice

I can always remember early on in life, we did absolutely everything together, from playing sports to doing all the chores, but he was also the one to play catch with me in the front yard to practice or the first one to tell me what I did wrong in my game and what I should do better. He will always be my first and most important best friend and there isn't a day in my life that I am not thankful that God gave me a big brother.

2. He makes it hard for any guys who want to date me

He is the first person who my guy friends meet and he is the first person who approves or doesn’t. Although for the most part he loves my friends and my friends love him, he makes it hard because he set a standard for so many levels. He set a standard for how a man should treat a women, he set a standard on how a man should dress, but most importantly he set a standard of how a man should chase God before he chases any women. Everyone always says you will date someone who is like your dad, which is true, if you didn't grow up with a big brother.

3. He makes me better in all aspects of life

Being the younger sister of someone who everyone looks up to as an athlete, student, and person can be difficult, but it makes you want to be better to keep up with him. My whole life I have been known as Derek Long’s little sister and I am completely okay with it because it makes me strive to be better everyday. My older brother set a standard in which everyday I want to be just as good if not better than he is.

4. He has taught me how to be tough

My older brother never let me go down with out a fight and he didn't take it easy on me just because I was a girl. He showed me that there is no reason to stay mad for long and the way to settle arguments is to fight it out and move on. He taught me how to be tough and get through life’s hardest battles because I knew no matter what I wouldn’t have to get through it alone. Whatever life throws at me is nothing because I have an older brother.

5. He always knows how to make me laugh

My older brother is one person that has seen me at my absolute worst and helped me get to my best. He will go out of his way to make me laugh when times get hard and always reminds me that it is life, don't forget to smile. I may be the center of most of his jokes, but I know that no matter what it is out of love and I make it easy for him to crack jokes.

6. He is the one person who always has my back

Having an older brother is like having a constant body guard. He is the first one to put you behind him, so you have to go through him before you get to me. Although he taught me how to be tough, I know that I won’t have to take on life alone because he will always be there to have my back. My older brother will fight for me till the end of the earth no matter what it is about.

7. Every best moment in my life, my brother has been there

All the most important moments in my life, my brother has been right there by my side cheering me on. From the time I graduated high school, to the time I signed to play division 1 softball, to my very first collegiate home softball game, he has been right there to cheer me on. Although I now live in Michigan, he still is right by my side through it all. In all my most vivid memories, my older brother is right there and I couldn't be more thankful.

8. I truly know what true unconditional love is

I love my friends, I love my teammates, I love my family, but there is something about having an older brother that I truly know what unconditional love is. We can get in the biggest fight in the world, yet I still want him right there for my next adventure in life. He truly is my go to and best friend and is the epitome of unconditional love and I am so very thankful he loves me that much more.

9. He makes life so much better

Vacation and summer are fun, but having an older brother to enjoy those things with make it that much better. I never have to go to the beach, an amusement park, or play sports in the front yard alone. He makes for a good teammate when playing neighborhood wiffle ball and I know that no matter what sport we are playing, I will always be his number 1 pick even though there is someone better than me to be picked.

10. He is my biggest fan

He takes time out of his day to make sure he was at my high school games or at my travel ball games that mean absolutely nothing to him, but everything to me. He is always willing to take me to the field to help me practice and is the first one to post on his social media about my accomplishments. He owns more of my collegiate gear than his own and although I am in Michigan playing he always knows when to text me and what to say to give me the confidence to go out there and do it again.

11. He makes you the proudest sister in the world

Watching all his accomplishments has truly been one of the most rewarding aspects of being his little sister. Standing in his empty room this morning brought tears to my eyes, all because he deserves the world and I am so proud of all he has accomplished. From being one of the best hockey players in the state of California, from graduating college, to moving out, he did it all on his own and I truly am the proudest sister in the world for all his accomplishments.

12. You can’t live with him, but you truly can’t live without him

Having an older brother is truly the best thing in this world from the constant fights, to all the late night advice sessions in the hallway I am so thankful you have been the absolute best roommate for the past 20 years. You truly are my best friend and there is no way I could live without you. Brother, you are the most genuine, selfless, godly man in the world and I am so thankful everyday I get to learn form you.

I love you D. Thank you for being not only my big brother, but for being my forever best friend. SFT.