Whether you grow up with five siblings or you grow up with one. You’re always going to have a special bond that you’ll never experience with your friends.

In my case, I have a brother three years older than me and I can honestly say I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Growing up with a sibling, you learn lifelong skills such as being able to keep a secret. If you have an older sibling, they have paved the way for you. They might not think that you look up to them, but you do. If they do something wrong in school or at home, you have their back.

1. Cell phones.

If my brother ever got his cell phone taken away I was right there, ready to give mine up for him to use in secret so my parents wouldn’t know.

2. Lunch money.

If I had extra money left after a week at school and my brother wanted a few extra dollars for the weekend, I would give him my money because he could drive.

3. Breaking the rules.

When your brother tells your parents one story about where he is going, you make sure to know the story as well. So if they ask you where he is, you tell them the exact same thing he said.

4. Advice.

He tells you straight up when you ask for advice. If it’s about a boy, he tells you exactly what the boy brain is thinking and it might crush you. But you will thank him in the end.

5. Protection.

When someone was messing with you, you’d say: “I swear I will call my big brother on you”, even though he probably wouldn’t do anything because you’re being irrational.

6. Fake tears.

If he ever tried to tell on you, you could fake your tears so he would be the one to get in trouble. That’s when the evil little sister comes out.

7. Comfy shirts and sweatshirts.

You don’t have a boyfriend, but you have an older brother. Which means… sweatshirts for days that you can steal!

8. His friends.

WOW! Who would’ve thought someone could have so many cute friends? One of the best things about having an older brother is all of the cute friends he brings over to the house. You suddenly become very interested in playing video games.

You may not tell your older sibling how much you love them, but they secretly know it. Having an older sibling in your life is definitely the best thing because who else would you want to share your darkest secrets with? You can get each other in trouble but you choose not to because you both have way too much dirt on one another. If you have an older sibling and you want them to know how much you appreciate them, send them this list. Or simply say: “You’re awesome, thank you. And I love ya!” Or don’t. I don’t know about you, but as I’ve grown up I've really learned more about my brother. He is probably one of the coolest people I know, and he’s definitely one of my biggest role models. I don’t know what I would do without him picking on me!

But hey, that’s what siblings are for.