Growing up with an older brother was always a challenge. Add his friends to the mix, and it was always an adventure. Throughout my childhood I always wanted to be "one of the boys." Growing up with these boys not only changed me, but influenced my behavior over the years.
Even though testosterone ruled the house most of the time, I was able to make four random boys my best friends for life. Here are 15 valuable life lessons I have learned from the most obnoxious, sensitive, and admirable group of guys I will ever know:
1. Sports aren't a hobby, they're a lifestyle.
Growing up with a football coach, lineman brother, and a dozen other boys running around the house can get somewhat crazy. The holy grail of calming the whole house down: sports, and lots of it. Old football re-runs, that weeks films, "Madden Sports" and the occasional game of "touch" (aka tackle) football in the backyard are all staples in the household. Learn it, live it, and love it. They'll be amazed when you start talking about the skinny post to the slot, or the pick six in the third quarter which led to the team winning.
2. Never start a fight you know you can't win.
Fights are a common occurrence when the boys are around. Bruises, blood, and crying may be involved. You may think you are big and tough, but eventually you will lose the wresting match. If you don't want the bruises know your strengths before their's concurs you.
3. The boy you're currently crying over means nothing in the long run.
My boys have always been there for me when I'm down about a guy. Moral of the story, they will always be there, the fool who made you cry won't.
4. Cherish the middle school memories.
Let's just say I have compromising pictures of four 14-year-old boys in a 12-year-old girls' shorts...terrifying, cringe-worthy, yet unforgettable.
5. You'll always be "little" to them.
You may be 20-years-old, but you'll always be 11 to them. Embrace it, not everyone in life will always think of you as a kid.
6. Never be scared when faced with confrontation.
Always stand up for yourself and never compromise who you are. There will always be someone who believes in you and your beliefs.
7. When the boys are on your side, you're untouchable.
When this kid was mean to me in high school, my best guy friend, who was a senior at the time, went up to him in the locker room and "took care" of the situation. To this day I don't know what was said, but I never had another issue.
8. Keep the nickname they gave you when you were 10.
Yes, it may be incredibly lame, but when you hear your nickname yelled in the grocery store, you'll know who it is.
9. LOCK THE DOOR.
I really don't think boys comprehend the fact that if the door is shut you should knock. Yes, I have been walked in on while I was changing multiple times... and sadly they never learn the lesson. Or do they?
10. Food is a bargaining mechanism.
Always have one staple dish or dessert that you can use to influence. Anytime brownies or cannoli were involved I was the queen of the world, at least for the day.
11. It's your brother's job to be scary.
Sadly, he may scare away the really cute jock. But there is a reason why he did it. He will always be there to defend your honor. It may even result in a legendary crushing on the football field of the loser who ditched you at Homecoming. Hopefully, he can scare all the creeper boys away too!
12. Creative vocabulary.
They will definitely broaden your vocabulary with their colorful language and sentence structure. They can teach you how to use a single word as a noun, verb, and adjective all in one sentence.
13. Take advantage of them driving.
Growing up I always had a ride home from school. Whether it was my brother or his poor friend who lived down the rode, they were always riding with Miss Daisy. They still refuse to let me drive, but I mean, I don't have to waste my gas, so who's complaining?
14. Always remember their mistakes.
Every mistake they made was taken note of. Every flooded engine, sentence to the principals office, and stolen grocery cart was used in my benefit. While I learned from their mistakes, those mistakes also served as a benchmark to minimize the trouble I got into.
15. They will always be there.
They will be your biggest supporters, loudest critique, and strongest shoulder to cry on. They will always be your wing-man, and always know when to say no más tequila.
