It's close to impossible to imagine who you would've become without him. Here are all the ways your brother is making you a better woman.
12. He reminds you that there'll always be someone cooler, smarter and more talented than you.
No matter how hard I try to be "the best" at whatever I'm doing, my little brother somehow shows me up. While it sometimes gets under my skin, it humbles me and reminds me that there are always people to learn from and that there's no real finish line telling you that you're No. 1.
11. He makes you discover what your definition of a role model is and how to become one.
In elementary school, I was often asked who my role model was and what it meant to be one. Oftentimes, I was clueless and would pick someone who other kids were picking (original, I know). But growing up with a little brother hot on my heels, I've learned how to gracefully stumble through the dark. My goal as a big sister is to (hopefully) make it apparent that just because someone makes some bad decisions and mistakes, it doesn't make them a bad person and that it's okay to be a little lost.
10. He shows you that video games aren't just for the boys, and dolls aren't just for the girls.
Sure, I had my fair share of Barbie dolls and Polly Pockets, but I was just as likely to end up playing "Halo" as my little bro was playing with my dolls. Now he's probably pretty embarrassed that I'm admitting this, but why isn't it embarrassing that I would play with his Star Wars action figures? People like what they like, regardless of their gender.
9. He reminds you that you'll always have someone to talk to.
Errr, at least talk at. However, sometimes that's all I need. Granted, I like getting advice from friends and family when I'm in a pickle, but at times, I just need someone to hear me out. Sure, Nick will often respond with a simple "mmmm hmmm" or "that sucks," but like I said, sometimes that's all a sister needs.
8. You learn how to avoid taking yourself too seriously.
It's too much fun embarrassing a little brother that it's totally worth making a fool of oneself in the process. Being unafraid to embarrass myself in the hopes of embarrassing him has shown me that life is a hell of a lot more fun when you don't take it as black and white.
7. He teaches you how to think fast (in more ways than one).
Brothers are the kings of "Quick, think fast!" — the game in which they proceed to throw something at your face in the hopes that you won't be able to react quickly enough to catch the object before it hits you smack between your eyes. Luckily, after years of this, I've been trained to react fast enough to not only catch the projectile, but throw it back at him.
Coupled with fast physical reaction time, an older sibling learns how to be quick with the comebacks which prepares you with a ton witty comebacks you might have to keep stored in your back pocket.
6. He shows you how to comfort.
While my little brother isn't really a man of many words, he has his moments of giving sage advice and comfort in times of need and despair. I'll forever admire him for this.
5. He teaches you perseverance and how to compromise.
There have been so many arguments over the remote, where to go for dinner and other pointless things that I've learned how to win a fight. By keeping a cool head and striking up a deal, you feel better walking away from a debate where both parties are happy rather than just one side.
4. He proves that age is only a number.
Sooner or later, you find yourself hanging out with his friends and remembering how he's always been trying to hang out with you and your friends. But the fact that he's able to mesh so well with you and your older friends just proves that age doesn't really matter.
3. He shows you that material things are just things.
My little brother and I have broken too many things to count. Whether it was a lamp at a hotel or our mother's cherished Mickey Mouse ornament, we've managed to shatter them. While it might have seemed like Judgement Day was on its way whenever we destroyed something, none of those mistakes ever affected our lives in the long run.
2. He's brutally honest, and reminds you that you don't always look as good as you think you do.
"Whoa, that kimono thing makes you look like a Emperor Palpatine." "What's up with your lips? They're black like thin dog lips." It's safe to say that we've all taken some style risks that are a bit out there, and we can leave it to our brothers to tell us we look like someone other than ourselves.
1. He shows you how to be a better person overall.
Being a big sister means being a best friend, a mentor, a trailblazer, a trendsetter, an eye-opener, a face to complain to and a role model. While I'm not entirely sure if Nick sees me this way, because of him, I try my best in all of these areas.
