Sure, older siblings are great! They teach you the ropes with mom and dad, you always have hand-me-downs and you always have someone there to tell you how annoying you're being. Older siblings are the best, unless your sibling is nine years and four months older than you. Here's where things get complicated.

Until now, I've never really thought much about the relationship I have with my brother. Sure, he's always been there for me when I needed him, but what sibling hasn't? I really have never thought so hard about how much my brother means to me until right now while trying to complete this article. How sad is that? This is something that should be so easy to talk about, but I guess in today's world things and people aren't as appreciated as they should be and I am sorry for that. So here's to you, Bubba, this ones for you.

Growing up, I never realized how much my brother actually did for me. To me, he was just someone who was always sleeping late, always telling me to leave him alone, and someone who left to go to college when I was only in the 5th grade. It hasn't been until recently that I've realized how much he actually means to me. Looking back now, I realize how much he has done for me. My brother has always been there, from going to all my sporting events, driving me around when he first got his license, to listening to my annoying girl drama, he has been through it all. Our relationship didn't really pick up until I was in high school, if we are being honest. With him being so much older than me, he already had a wife, house, and a dog by this point. He was pretty grown up in my mind. We still hung out as much as we could, but it was a different kind of hangout. I was older now and not as annoying (if I do say so myself). We talked more about things that mattered in life, what I wanted to do when I graduated, what it was like to be a grownup, how much laundry detergent goes in the washer (I still can't seem to get that one right), everything from A-Z. Our relationship turned into a true friendship.

In the 5th grade, we were asked to write about our hero and of course I picked my brother. At the time, I believe the paper consisted of how good he was at baseball and how he was cool because he drove a truck. Not very meaningful, right?

If I were asked today who my hero was, it would still be my brother. He has faced tough times and worked through them, he is always looking for ways to do better for his family, and he is striving to be the best person he can be. Although he may not always see it, I can tell each day that he is moving towards something bigger. He has a heart of gold (well sometimes), when I need a place to stay he says his house is always open, when I need him to pick up something for me he does it with no complaints, and when I just need a hug after a long day he's there with arms wide open. He has taught me to think for myself, to solve problems instead of complaining about them, to state your opinion, but to stay open minded to others. He has truly made me a more rounded individual. He may not realize it but he is my role model and will always be my hero.

I am a strong believer that God has a path set for me, and I know that without guidance from my brother, I wouldn't be where I'm at today. At the same time, I believe that I was placed in his life for a reason as well. Together we've learned that patience is a virtue, majority of the time both of us are right even if we hate to admit it, and how to juggle our social lives but still make time for one another. We may argue about something daily, but I know that he will be there for me regardless of the situation and he is always just a phone call away.

My brother is my best friend. He's my go to guy, a shoulder to cry on, someone to talk to when I'm driving home from work, the guy that tells me how I'm overreacting but still manages to listen to the whole story first. He truly is one of a kind and for those of you who don't have a sibling like mine, I feel sorry for you. Life is full of the unknown but I will forever be thankful that God has blessed me with someone I know will always be there to face the tomorrow with. So thanks for being the best brother a girl could as for!

Love you to the moon and back,

Sissy