It is a classic comedy trope on television and movies to see a younger brother completely torture his older sister. However, it is far less hilarious when it is actually happening to you. I'm sure it must be super funny when you are the one doing the torturing, though. My younger brother has managed to make me miserable, cry, get angry, or threaten him with physical harm more times than I can even count. Despite being my mortal enemy from time to time, he somehow also ended up being my best friend.
When I was younger, being the big sister was the coolest and most important job in the world. I wanted to show my little brother how to do everything and make sure that nothing harmed him. As we got older, and a little brother gets big enough to start fights, the real complicated relationship comes about. Sibling rivalry is a necessary evil. It keeps you both on your toes, pushing you to out-do one another, competing to be your parents' favorite child. Speaking of parents' favorite, it is almost a gift to watch one another be yelled at for doing something wrong and hearing the phrase, "Why can't you be more like your sister?"
Without all the fights over the front seat of the car, the remote, what to listen to on the radio or where to go for dinner, we would never appreciate the rare moments of friendship. Thank you for being there for me when I cry over something stupid or indulging me with gossip about people from high school, or going out for food and surprising me by bringing something back. Although we can never admit it, it shows that we kind of sort of like each other from time to time.
As you get older, and grow taller and stronger than me, it is weird to see you as the little brother. Though you still act like the little kid you have always been, you are a full grown adult in reality. Part of me still wants to be that new big sister who is anxious to teach you all about the world. I still want to take your hand and show you what to do, because I already know from being the test child. You get to benefit from everything that I went into blind and I want to make sure all of that wasn't for nothing. Though there are days where I want to send you out on your own and let you fend for yourself, at the end of the day, I am still the protective older sister who would do anything to make sure you do well.
Even though you are no longer my "little" brother, know that I will always think of you in that way. You will forever be my annoying kid brother and in need of his wise older sister to show him the way. As much as I thrived on seeing you fail when you were younger, please know that I wish you nothing but success in all you do in life.
