If you have a younger brother, you're obviously aware of the love-hate dynamic that has persisted throughout your lives. Although they may do some things that really get on our nerves, we love them anyway and they will always be our little brothers. That being said, here are some things I need and do not need to thank my brother for over the years:
- Shouldn't: Thinking it was funny to fart under the blankets and yell “Dutch oven!” while trying to suffocate me under them.
- Should: Making a good impression on my friends when you visited for family weekend, even though I had to remind them multiple times that no, you were not single, and yes, you were under 18.
- Shouldn’t: Trying to ice me multiple times during Thanksgiving break and calling me pledge, even though I’m older than you and you’re not even in a frat.
- Should: Giving me piggy back rides when I didn’t feel like walking.
- Shouldn’t: Throwing me in a pool, ocean, lake or any other source of water nearby us whatever chance you got.
- Should: Being my human pillow during long plane flights when I wanted to sleep or sprawl my legs out.
- Shouldn’t: Farting on my pillow.
- Should: Not doing it again after I got revenge by pouring water on you while you were sleeping.
- Shouldn't: Commenting a whale emoji on all of the Instagram pictures I'm wearing a bathing suit in.
- Should: Being my slave for a few days after I told you Santa wouldn't bring you any presents if you didn't obey your sister.
- Shouldn't: Not allowing me to peacefully enter the house for fear you were lurking around the corner ready to pop out and scare me at any moment.
- Should: Never telling Mom and Dad when I had people over when they were out of town (sorry Mom and Dad).
- Shouldn't: Always claiming to be the better athlete (but at least I can spell the word athlete).
- Should: Letting me vent to you. There were times you hardly even listened, which was okay because I just needed someone to complain to without judging me for it. Other times when it was about something important you truly listened and gave me meaningful advice.
- Shouldn't: The scrapes, cuts and bruises I had to endure when we were younger.
- Should: The scrapes, cuts, and bruises I had to endure to make sure I would never become a sissy girl who couldn't fight for herself.
I always laugh to myself a little when I think about the story my parents told me and my brother about what happened a few months after he was born. I was 2-years-old and lovingly petting my baby brother's head, until suddenly, I slapped him in an "I run this house, know your place" type of way. What are older sisters for if not to love our brothers unconditionally, but also to keep them in line at the same time? I'm so proud of the person my brother has become, and I can't help but give myself a little pat my back for knowing that the older sister in me had a bit of a role to play in that.
