Being a younger sibling, I fit the typical stereotype: annoying, constantly following my brother around, wanting to do everything with him and constantly instigating fights. That's the job of little brothers though, right? Anyway, my brother and I are six years apart. When I was growing up, we never got along. At one point I swear we may have hated each other. Although, as times changed, we grew closer and closer.
With my brother and I being six years apart, we never were able to have the same friend groups...or so he thought. Whenever his friends would come over, I would instantly throw myself into whatever they were doing. I would like to think that most of his friends enjoyed my presence because I keep in touch with some of them today, but ultimately my brother hated that my 6-year-old self couldn't find my own friends to hang out with.
The fights that brothers have are a step up from screaming matches that sisters may have. Once I was old enough to actually agitate and argue with my brother, the infamous brother beatings came into play. I remember running away from him around the house during summer break while my parents were at work. He would catch me, give me a few swift hits or trap me with a pillow and tell me not to do whatever I did ever again. When I was younger, he scared me to no end, but now that I've grown up they're just more memories to laugh at.
Having an older brother also teaches you some skills. Like what to do and what not to do, and how to get away with things that I shouldn't be doing. Since my brother was six years older than me, I was able to watch him go through high school while I was in elementary school. This taught me the in and outs of high school before I was even in middle school. Watching him taught me ways to hide things from my parents without getting in trouble (sorry Mom and Dad). Whether he realizes it or not, I watched his every move growing up, and I have learned endless amounts from my brother.
The one downside (sometimes upside) of having a brother is the, "Oh, you're Kyle's little brother" statement. When you grow up in a town as small as mine, you can count on everyone to know who your older siblings are. They expect you to either be exactly like them or be the opposite of them.
At the end of the day, I feel extremely blessed to have my older brother. I may have prayed a few times to be an only child when I was little, but I now know that an older brother is a blessing. He's your best friend and protector no matter how old you get. My brother is always there (after about four phone calls sent to voicemail), and he's always ready to jump in on a fight if he needs to. I've learned to love all of his flaws, like how he can talk your ear off for four days straight or how he takes things without asking. I've learned to never take our unique and dynamic relationship for granted because he truly is my best friend till I die. Like my dad always told us, "Cherish your brother. When your parents are gone, you two are all you'll have left."
So, Kyle, this one's for you.
P.S. Stop wearing my clothes.