Growing up as the younger sister, my brothers have always been protective. Sometimes overprotective.

I remember losing my first tooth because my brothers and I were practicing karate in our basement. The older of the two got down on his hands and knees to help me look for it on the ground, and console me, as I had no clue what was going on, while the younger of the two ran upstairs to go find one of our parents.

When I began dating, my brothers turned into bears. They said that if this guy hurt me, they would hurt him. When he eventually did hurt me, they were right there to console me. All these years later, the younger of the two said that he knew that it wasn't going to end well, but in the moment he let me figure it out myself.

After my Kairos, which is a high school retreat for juniors and seniors, I had no clue what I was doing. My brothers ensured me that no matter where I ended up for college or what I ended up doing, that they would stand by me, as long as I was trying and as long as I was happy. I remember both of them telling me how proud they were of me for how I was handling our parents' divorce, even though I didn't feel that proud.

They always call on my birthday. It doesn't matter where we are or what we're doing.

When our uncle passed away suddenly last month, the younger of the two called me from Detroit, where he lives. He said that he wanted to change his travel plans so that he could be with dad and his family even for a few days. We talked on the phone for about an hour, which we often do, even though we seldom talk on the phone. I told him about my fears for the MCAT, and he told me that no matter what happened that he was proud of me for it.

At the end of the call, he wouldn't let me hang up before he said he loves me. We never say that to each other. He was jetting away to Italy in a few days, and I think we were both shaken up from our uncle.

The older of my brothers came back from a vacation to see his wife's aunt, and when I called him, he asked me about the MCAT. He asked when I was getting my score back. He asked me if I had considered DO school or PA school. He said that his wife's aunt had mentioned these things, and that he hadn't known what they are so he googled them. He wanted me to consider all my options.

He also told me that he would be there for me if my MCAT score came back badly. That we would figure it out.

The younger of the two called and talked with me for an hour last week, asking how my internship was, and wanting to chat. I'd called him right before a business meeting, and he wanted to call me back since he felt bad for having to rush the previous call.

I don't know what I did to deserve these two outstanding guys. They're extremely busy with their own lives, but they always find time if I need it.

Thanks bros. You are both pretty rad.