Your brother was your best friend before you ever even knew what a best friend was.
He might have started out as some stinky, snot-nosed kid who played in the dirt with you and helped you hide when the threat of a spanking was thrown your way, but over the years, he has turned into so much more than that.
As far back as you can remember, he has been your partner in crime and your shoulder to cry on. He's the guy who always sticks around throughout the girl-fights, breakups, and other dramatic events in your life. He's the first one you call whenever you have big news. He's the one that loves you no matter how much you annoy him.
And he will always be the most important guy in your life, because having a brother beats having a boyfriend every time.
Here are a few reasons why:
1. He was your first (and biggest) baby doll.
If your brother is younger than you, you can probably remember all of the times that you've practiced different looks on him, from painting his fingernails different shades of blue to putting his hair in a ponytail when he was going through puberty and thought that shaggy hair looked cool. If he's older, you were probably the one picking out his clothes for dates and other events, because everyone knows that men have trouble dressing themselves.
2. He 's forced to suffer with you at every family event.
From holiday dinners to road trips and summer vacations, your brother was there for it all. He had to endure the awkward cheek-pinching of older relatives, the endless sing-a-longs and games that your mom tried to start so that the drive "would go by faster," and the torture of sunscreen, sweating, and standing in line that awaited you at every amusement park. He also stood beside you in every awkward family photo that your aunt insisted on taking.
3. He covers for you.
He warns you when your parents are angry or suspicious. He's your alibi whenever someone doubts you. "Of course I did that. Just ask my brother!" He's willing to hide anything that you don't want other people to find, and he's always ready to argue with your parents on your behalf. "She's right, mom; an adult shouldn't have to come home at one o clock if they don't want to."
4. He takes you on adventures.
He's always up for blanket forts and bike riding. He's the first one to wake you up on a snow day because he's dying to go outside. He's the one who's willing to drive out to the middle of nowhere with you and hopefully find some new spot to hang out. He's ready to go for a hike even if it's raining, because maybe something new will appear when the weather is different. And if there's nowhere new to explore, he uses his imagination to make even the simplest daily events seem adventurous.
5. He's one of your biggest fans.
He was there to clap for you the first time you rode your bike without training wheels, he was on the sidelines of every high school sporting event, and he'll be the one cheering you on for the rest of your life. He's not disappointed whenever you mess up because he knows that you're doing your best, and he'll never judge you if you fail. Instead, he'll be there to put you back on track.
6. He gives you unbiased advice.
He's the one who will tell you what you don't want to hear, followed by the classic, "and I'm only telling you that because I love you."
7. He's the best wingman.
He can do that "guy talk" thing with your current crush and see if you have a chance. He can walk up to a random guy and introduce you. And he probably won't care if you choose to date one of his friends (even if it ends badly and they hardly ever talk again after that). But trust him when he says "He isn't worth it, sis," because he's a male himself and can spot a guy with bad intentions from a mile away.
8. He protects you.
He might push your buttons daily, but he'll be the first one to jump to your defense in an argument and won't let anyone say a bad word about you behind your back. He'll also probably threaten every single boy that you bring home and offer to "whip someone's ass" if finds out that they did you wrong.
9. He shows you how you deserve to be treated.
His "I love you," isn't always said in those three words, but is sometimes said in the "text me when you get there so I know you made it okay," and the "be careful sis" that he throws your way daily. A brother's love for his sister is unconditional, and he proves it daily in the little things that he does, from telling you how beautiful you are when you're stressing over what to wear to bringing you food when you're hungry, and cheering you up when you're feeling down.
10. He pushes you to be the best that you can be.
He's the reason that you strive to do better. You want to be the type of person that he is proud to have in his life, and you know how much he looks up to you. Disappointing him is almost worse than disappointing your parents.
So if you made it this far, I want you to make sure that you thank your brother for the role that he plays in your life.
He's seen you at your best and your worst, and doesn't think differently because of it. You won't find that anywhere else.
