In a previously written article, I talked about the fifteen things that only a sister would do for you. However, when coming up with so many of those, I found myself constantly considering things that my brother and I would always do together, and thought that I needed to admire those qualities in having a brother, as well. So, I decided to come up with a few reasons why your relationship with your older brother is unlike any other.

1. You have someone to explain sports to you.

I probably wouldn’t even know what the Super Bowl was if it weren’t for my brother’s annual excitement over the event. I even fell in love with hockey and the Blackhawks, which are games I wouldn’t have watched if it weren’t for my brother’s love of Chicago sports.

2. You have someone to teach you how to be tough.

If it weren’t for all those times my brother put me in a triangle choke and headlock forcing me to get my way out of it, I probably would give up a lot easier in tough situations.

3. It’s easier to get along with your boyfriends, because you already know how boys work.

I watched the slam dunk contest this Valentine’s day with my boyfriend… you know a girl with only sisters would never let that happen.

4. You know what the boy version of yourself would be like.

Because, come on, who hasn’t wondered that before?

5. You always have someone to hang out with on family vacations.

Not to mention he always lets you get the better seat on road trips and will play with you in the pool even though he would probably rather go meet girls somewhere.

6. You always have somebody’s sweatshirts and sweatpants to steal.

The minute my brother’s sweatpants seem a little short on him, I’m the first to point it out… don’t you want a nice new pair while I steal yours for my Netflix marathon days?

7. You have completely uncensored responses to your difficult situations. 

When I want someone to tell me that I’m right, and that my boyfriend was so unreasonable for not triple texting me in a fight, I go to my sister. But when I need to hear the truth about how crazy I’m being, my brother is the one I need.

8. You have a person to laugh with at all your weird and annoying family members at the long and drawn out family parties.

We all have that creepy uncle and that one second cousin that no one remembers the name of, right?

9. He can always give you a pep talk before you’re about to get in trouble with your parents, because he’s probably been in the same situation and knows what to expect.

I can’t tell you how many times my brother has saved me from giant arguments with my parents by telling me what/what not to say. Speaking of which…

10. You always have someone to mediate your fights with your parents/sisters.

Most of the time, my brother doesn’t want to get involved with my dramatic teenage fights. But when needed, my brother will definitely step in at my defense.

11. You have someone to carry all your heavy things for you.

College is easy when you only have to carry your pillow pet up three stories of stairs, while your brother balances half your suitcases and backpack for you.

12. You have like fourteen other older brothers to look out for you at all times, because all his friends see you as a little sister as well.

I can’t tell you all the times I have been in weird, bad, or uncomfortable situations where I’ve found one of my brother’s friends by my side helping me out. One time, I remember, my best friends and I had gotten into a stupid argument over prom (how unusual for there to be prom drama, right?) and my brother’s friend stood outside the bathroom door while I cried, just calming me down and defending me to the other girls for a straight hour.

13. You have an honest opinion 24/7.

He isnt afraid to tell me that my outfit really does make me look fat, and that I am wearing way too much makeup.

14. But he is also the first to tell me when I look my prettiest.

Having a boy’s point of view before going out on dates is extremely helpful and stress relieving.

15. You aren’t afraid to tell him when you mess up because you know he won’t judge you.

Admitting you messed up is hard, but when you have such a great support system behind you, it makes it that much easier.

16. You always have a shoulder to cry on.

Although my brother hates crying girls, which most boys probably do, he’s the first one at my side when I’m upset.

17. You have an excuse for watching all the boy-ish shows like "Workaholics" and "It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia."

You always have those girls that are like, “Ew you watch that show?” and my response is always, “Well, my brother likes it so I’ll watch it with him.”

18. You’re always treated like a princess.

Believe me, there are plenty of times when I can be a brat, but whenever I’m around my brother he always makes me feel important and special.

19. He will always put you on a pedestal and keep you at high standards.

I would never bring home a guy that wouldn’t treat me with the respect and love I deserve, because I know that my brother wouldn’t approve, and his approval is what is most important to me.

20. You hold yourself to high standards, too.

Because of his respect for you is important, and his approval is needed, you keep yourself to high standards so that he continues to feel that way about you, because it is important to you.

21. You have a person to get advice from that won’t base their responses of jealousy or competition.

When going to my brother for advice, I know for a fact he is giving me the flat out honest truth without any sugar coating or jealous vendetta against me, like some girls will do when giving advice.

22. You have someone to always look up to and brag about.

I’m the first to brag about my brother for all the cool things he does. I am proud of him no matter what and will think everything he does is awesome. I look up to him in so many ways and have a true role model to aspire to in life, which is a really lucky thing to have.

23. You have someone to constantly protect you regardless of the situation, location, time, or reason.

My brother tells me every single time that I go back to school, that if I ever need anything he is just a short three hour trip away. I know that for a fact if I ever needed my brother, even if it was two in the morning, he would drive to Iowa the minute he got my call.

24. You stay up all night talking about random things, laughing and debating and exchanging stories, and those become some of your favorite memories. 

In my case, it’s conspiracy theories. My brother and I can talk about conspiracy theories until the crack of dawn. We love debating them, analyzing them, reading more on them, exchanging information, etc. It’s a bond that we’ve formed that has gave us some of my favorite memories and I wouldn’t exchange those moments for anything. But not only that, you sit up talking about life, the future, your goals and ambitions, and for some reason because your brother believes in you, you begin to believe in yourself.

25. You have a best friend that is just one room away.

Knowing that I always have someone just a couple steps away to hang out with, seek advice from, or just someone to talk to, is a feeling I wish everyone could experience and a virtue I am sincerely and infinitely grateful for.