If you have siblings, and you're human, then you’ve probably fought with them. You’ve fought over something trivial like when your sibling ate the leftover food in the fridge that clearly belonged to you, told your parents something that you mentioned in confidence, or stole something of yours without asking. Sometimes, those seemingly insignificant arguments have spiraled into more serious disputes. You didn’t talk for a day or two, didn’t acknowledge each other even when in the confines of the same home, or said things that you didn’t mean and that you wish that you could take back. Yet, at the end of the day, you never stopped loving them -- not solely because you are bound by a tacit moral code that demands that you love your siblings no matter what, but also because your siblings are the best friends that you will ever have. Here are some reasons why.
1. They’ve been there through it all.
They were there for a significant portion of your firsts and lasts and if they weren’t physically there, they know all of the stories that have been told and retold at family dinners since you can remember. They were around for that really awkward stage in your life. For some, myself included, that means that they were around for a while. They were there when you won your first trophy when you thought it was a good idea to cut your own hair, and even when you accidentally broke something valuable and tried to piece it back together without getting caught. They’ve seen you at your best and worst and loved you through it all.
2. Siblings are a built-in support system.
Siblings are full of advice to give you and, if not, they are anxiously awaiting your personal wisdom. When you need to vent your siblings are either a phone call away or right down the hall. They aren’t afraid to tell you the truth because there’s nothing stopping them from honesty. They’ll tell you when you’re being a brat, when you are not working hard enough, or when you should just relax.
3. They are your “go-to” when you just need some down time.
Do you want to get dinner? Who is better to go with than a sibling? It’s pretty cool having someone who shares your taste in food, or who is willing to try new things with you. Being with siblings is a nice, drama free time when you can eat to your heart's content and not feel guilty, binge watch mindless TV, and joke about your parents. Sorry, Mom and Dad.
4. Family vacations are way more fun.
Whether it's driving cross country, hiking the Grand Canyon, riding roller-coasters in Disney, relaxing by a hotel pool in Florida, or sipping on some strawberry daiquiris on the beach, having siblings on a vacation is crucial. Being with your parents is awesome, but without siblings I think that it's safe to say that everyone would go crazy. You simply need someone your own age or close to it to keep you sane and keep you company.
5. They always have your back.
Siblings will defend you until the end. Nobody can get away with saying something mean or hurting one of your siblings and they would never let anyone hurt you. They will gladly beat up any guy who breaks your heart or makes you feel unworthy. When your parents gang up on you there are always people ready back you up. It’s like having your own personal army ready to go to war at any time to defend your honor.
6. Family dinners are a whole lot less awkward.
Let’s be real. Whether it's a big dinner with extended
7. Siblings are there for the long run.
Unlike friends, colleagues, or acquaintances, you can be assured that your sibling will always be there. They will be there for every future success and every future failure. They will be there when you find the person who you think is the one, will ruthlessly interrogate him or her just to be sure, and will be there as you have children, as they grow up and as they ultimately have siblings of their own.
8. No, really.
Life is short and unpredictable. Although inevitable, it’s too short to be filled with arguments, both trivial and not. Don’t be left looking back, wishing that you had acted differently or that you had fully appreciated people when you had them around. We may yell and may not speak to our siblings for a day or two but, no matter what, we will always love them because siblings are, undoubtedly, the best friends we will ever have from beginning to end.
