I always knew my three younger brothers were some of the best people in my life and I understood that growing up as the only girl with the three of them surely had to be different than other family dynamics. But as I left home for college I realized my three younger brothers have shaped me into the person I am today from the moment they were born. I believe that without their influences I would be on a completely different path of life. As I meet new people and am exposed to more life experiences I see them in myself and realize they are the reason behind most of my everyday actions because a few things happen when you bless a girl with three younger brothers.
1. She has no capability of being a “girly girl” Don’t expect her to have any idea how to work an eye shadow pallet. Her makeup is a guessing game because while her friends took tips from their sisters and had them to experiment on, she was lucky if the faces of her dolls stayed clear of sharpie drawings for more than a week.
2. She knows just as much about the game as the guys do. She grew up being outvoted time after time when choosing a TV channel for the family room hangouts and Tuesday night TV dinners. Sure, she’s seen her chick movies but not until after the big game was over. She learned sports before she mastered the names of all the Disney princesses.
3. She was made to compete. With boys, everything is a competition. Who can finish their dinner the fastest? Who can get on the top bunk without using the ladder? For some reason little things like this declare who is the superior sibling. With only having brothers, these were the games she was forced to play daily. The “training” she endured all through childhood becomes evident in the real world. She’ll work harder than most because coming out on top is important but she knows how to handle a loss because her athleticism never quite matched her those of her three brothers.
4. She becomes a natural caregiver. She was given a job at the birth of her first younger brother. She was always mom’s little helper because only superwoman can handle three little boys at once. She was exposed to changing diapers and helping give bottles before she learned her addition and subtraction facts. With each age her responsibilities to her brothers grew. It is her natural instinct to do for others because that’s the only way her family was able to function. Having brother’s taught her to care for others more than herself. Now in college, the boys are not there to take care of anymore so she cares for her friends even more and she searches for a career that allows her to act on her passion and skills for caring for others.
5. She’d choose an adventure over relaxation any day of the week. No matter where the family vacation took place, sitting at the pool in relaxation was never an option. A game, scavenger hunt, or mischief act was created out of any situation given. Thanks to the boys for making her roll around in the mud and wrestle in the family room she’s rarely been afraid of an adventure or challenge.Her brain is programmed to try crazy, disgusting, unique things and explore everything around her.
6. She knows what to look for in a boyfriend. Her brothers have always cared for her as much as she cared for them. They ensured she understood the way a boy is supposed to treat her. She’ll forever make sure she receives at least the same care her brothers provided for her, and she knows better than to bring someone home who doesn’t meet those standards. Her brother’s may be younger but they’re her biggest protectors.
7. She can’t imagine a life without a little craziness. When life settles down and there’s no one trying to prank her, write songs to insult her, challenge her to silly competitions, or invent crazy games she doesn’t know how to handle herself. She needs that immature humor and spontaneous lifestyle they have influenced her to love.
