As a girl with two younger brothers, I've always wondered what it'd be like to have a female sibling. Growing up and seeing sisterly bonds depicted on television, I sometimes felt like I was missing out on something special. My friends with sisters of their own would tell me that they are more curse than blessing, but I nevertheless wished I had another girl to play with. As the years went on, however, I realized that there's nothing better than a couple of bros.

1. Brothers don't steal your clothes.

Not once have I had to deal with either of my siblings "borrowing" jewelry or my favorite pair of jeans. If the day ever comes that they do wish to do so, I will welcome it with open arms, but for now all of my clothes are safe in my closet where they belong.

2. You don't have to share a room.

It's pretty rare that brothers and sisters share a room together past a very young age. Living in a three bedroom house, this was great news to me. While I was a little envious of my brothers' bunk beds, the bickering that resulted from being in such close quarters is something I was pleased to avoid. This may not be a problem for sisters who have enough rooms in their house to avoid sharing a room, but for those who don't, I'm sure a bit of extra privacy would be a godsend.

3. They toughen you up physically...

The whole "boys can't hit girls" thing does not apply to siblinghood. Brothers are not afraid to fight back, and they rarely hold anything back when they do. I've been kicked and decked in the face more than a few times. Did I deserve it? Probably. But the tears were worth getting a refined fighting style and confidence that I can hold my own against any guy.

4. ... and mentally.

And they say girls are mean... You'd think my brothers were a part of "Fashion Police" by how many times they've critiqued my outfits and makeup. They can say things that dig. This may not sound like a perk, but it really prepares you for people out in the real world. It's easier to brush off a petty insult when you've already dealt with them before. And besides, deep down you know they love you.

5. You get exposed to "boy" things.

At the risk of sounding sexist, I think it's fair to say that some things are typically more geared towards boys. While you were playing dress up with your sister, I was playing Mortal Kombat with my bros. I've also been exposed to all of their fandoms. For some girls' brothers this may be sports teams, but for me it's been different video games, YouTubers, superheroes, and television shows. No matter what dominantly male thing it is, sisters learn a lot about these things from their brothers and sometimes become a fan of it themselves. I'm not saying a girl cannot become a fan of these things on her own, but with brothers it's more likely to discover something you love that you may not have pursued in a society still full of gender rolls.

6. Gross becomes tolerable.

Let's face it - boys can be gross. Girls can too, but brothers win the Oscar for "Most Nasty". I've been spit, burped, and farted on, and while girls also perform all of these bodily functions, we usually handle them with a bit more class. If it's not crassly performing bodily functions, it's speaking of them. For some reason making fart noises evokes just as much laughter from my brothers as the most wittily crafted joke. Bathroom humor is always a riot with the boys. You do get used to it though. So, while I will never enjoy the unpleasant noises and aromas that come from the human body, thanks to my bros it takes a lot more to set off my gag reflex.

7. Big brothers can be your protector.

Being the oldest, I have not personally experienced this perk, but it is quite possibly the most cliché. If movies, books, and television can be trusted, having a big brother means endless piggyback rides and being protected from any boy who may treat you wrong. I cannot personally confirm this, but the role is so well known that it must hold some grain of truth.

8. Little brothers are a lot of fun.

Little boys are full of crazy energy. This means lots of fun and lots of laughs. They can be a bit annoying sometimes, but I wouldn't trade my little brothers for the world.

9. You know how to talk to boys.

Growing up with brothers makes you realize that boys really aren't that much different than girls. You can converse with them just like you do with your gal pals, just maybe about different subject matter. Once you understand something, you no longer fear it. And living with boys takes the fear and mystery out of them completely.

10. They leave you with memories.

Whether it's moments like this...

... or like this...

... growing up with brothers is full of unique memories, jokes, moments, and experiences that you can't find anywhere else.