Recently, my older brother tagged me in this post on Facebook, wanting me to thank him for being the greatest older brother I could have asked for.

Reading through the post of 18 things I should thank him for, there were only a few I agreed with. This does not mean that my brother was a bad brother or that he has not done anything for me. It just means that there are different things, special things, that I would like to thank my brother for.

My brother is the one person I have looked up to more than anyone throughout my life. With only 18 months separating us, I have always seen him as one of my best friends, even if he did not feel the same way.

So, with our special relationship, these are the things I would like to thank my brother for.

Thank you for being someone I can look up to.

You have always been an outstanding person in school, in our family, and in general. You have proven to me that there are still good people out there who try hard and who treat everyone they meet with respect. I admire you for that.

Thank you for throwing tantrums.

As our entire family knows, you were not the easiest child to please, or adult for that matter. Your little tantrums have taught me how to deal with people at their worst. Now I can confidently handle people when they get a little grumpy. Hopefully my tantrums and mood swings have done the same for you.

Thank you for protecting me.

You do not show it often, in fact you are usually the one attacking me, but when your friend playfully hit me and you told him never to touch me again, it showed what you would do for me. Now I know that if someone tries to hurt me, you will fight back.

Thank you for making me a bro.

By letting me hang with all your buddies, party with you during bros' night, and letting me into your Fantasy Football league, you have taught me how to be laid back and chill. And even though I am still a girl and will still cause drama, you have taught me to be less "girly" about it all.

Thank you for listening.

As a psychology major, I guess you kind of have to listen. But I appreciate it. You are one of the few people who listen as if my problems were yours too. You give me actual advice and try to help me through my issues, rather than comparing them to your own. For that, I am grateful. I know I can come to you when I just need someone to listen.

Thank you for being a fantastic example.

You are a great example in every situation. You are a hard worker. You treat others with respect. You strive to be the best you can be. You do not care what others think about you. But most importantly you love with every inch of your being. You have shown me how a man should treat me and because of that I will accept nothing less. I see you with your new wife and hope I can find someone who loves me half as much as you love her.

Thank you for being you.

For all these reasons, I thank you for being the best brother I could ask for. For all these reasons, I look up to you. I want you to be proud of me and my decisions. I want you to know that I love you more than you know. You are my idol, my friend, my brother. Thank you for being all of those things.