Growing up with a big sister has it perks. You can share each other's clothes, learn from their mistakes, and go to them for virtually any problem you have. I remember thinking that I was so lucky to have a big sister growing up and I was glad it was just the two of us. I still feel this way, but now I know what it feels like to have a big brother too. I don’t mean a literal big brother, just a brother who steps in when necessary. Instead of being able to share clothes and learn from his mistakes, it’s like having my own personal bodyguard 24/7. In high school I was always nervous to bring boys home because of my dad until I realized that the big brother I never wanted was going to step in as well. At the time I hated you for this, but now I want to thank you for steering me clear of some bad situations.
Thank you for wanting to meet every boy that ever stepped foot into my house. Due to you being crazy and overprotective I steered clear of some obvious bad choices that I couldn’t see at the time but somehow you did. You also had a keen eye for the good ones too and never failed to let me know what I deserved.
Thank you for looking out for me on some of those crazy summer nights. With you around everyone knew not to mess with me and at the time I thought you were just being annoying and overprotective but now I thank you.
Thank you for always telling it like it is. You are never afraid of hurting my feelings when necessary even if it means fighting for a month straight. If I make a poor decision, you are always the first one to be straight with me and help me figure out ways to make it all better. This quality has definitely made me hate you in the past but you’ve definitely helped me get out of some pretty sticky situations.
Thank you for always being just a phone call or text away. Whenever I need someone to talk to you’re always there. Even if you get out of work really late at night and you're completely exhausted, you’ll always come over if I need someone to kill a spider or help me find my dog because I forgot I let him out three hours ago.
Lastly, thank you for showing me what it’s like to have a big brother. I never wanted one because I had such an amazing older sister, but I’m glad that you proved me wrong. Even though you really make me mad when you interrogate any boy that you see me with or check up on me every hour when we’re at a summer concert, you’re doing it in my best interest and I know that now. So, to the big brother I never wanted, thank you for turning into one of the most influential people in my life.
