Where do I even begin when it comes to growing up with only brothers?

Growing up with brothers has been one heck of a ride to say the least, but I wouldn't have it any other way… I can't tell you the amount of comments I've gotten from a friend/random person that go,"Hey your three brothers are attractive. Do you think you could set me up with one of them"? Normally I reply back with, "Thanks, I get that a lot. I don't know they are a little too young for you". There is never a dull moment with them and they’ve left me with countless of comical stories to share with everyone. For example, when my brothers' and I were little one of them would always scream, “You're choking me, you're choking me,” when my parents would tell him no and wouldn't let him get his way at the grocery store or at home. My parents wouldn't even be doing anything to him and he'd throw himself on the floor. The puzzled facial expressions people gave my brother as they walked by at the grocery store were always hysterical.

Another thing, with living with brothers is that it has molded me into the person I am today, and I am forever grateful. You become comfortable with talking to guys more because you've been around them growing up. Living with guys you begin to also see what they like and don't like in girls (which helps you out in the long run). I can't tell you the amount of conversations we've all had at the dinner table where my mom and I listen to what they have to say...

For those of us who grew up with brothers please raise your hand if you can relate to any of these truths:

1. Food never goes to waste.

If you can't finish your food your brothers will more than likely finish it for you . This is always the case with my brothers if I can't finish something I look at them and go, "ohhhh boys" and they know right away.

2. You learn to suck it up.

Crying never got you anywhere with your brothers. You know that complaining isn't going to solve your problems; you hold your head high and try to figure out how to handle the situations you face. I learned this one pretty quickly with my brothers only because they'd give me that look so I knew for future references not to do that.

3. Sports are a big part of your life.

Whether you support your brothers at their games or you yourself play sports, sports are something you've known and played the majority of your life. Which means, you grew accustomed to that competitive side in you, and it showed on the field if you played sports. I know everyone is different but my family is that typical soccer family . We spent every weekend driving all around the state of Georgia for soccer, being split up, or having to car pool. Yes, I am that girl that is into sports and will get competitive when playing or will get into it when it comes to watching any sporting event. I mean I can't help it, blame my brothers?

4. You're more adventurous.

When it came time to playing outside, you were doing "boy" things, because who wants to always be doing something boring? Climbing trees, rope swinging, playing in the creek, playing cops and robbers, playing sports, whatever the boys wanted to do. You were willing to try new things, to venture outside the lines because you grew up doing it.

5. You always got the best gigs on vacations.

With being the only girl in the family and having to share a room with boys (we all know how gross they can be). So, you get a separate sleeping arrangement (depending if there is a pull out couch or not). I remember one trip we had to get two rooms, which was the norm. Our room had two beds, and a pull out couch. I got the pull out couch while the boys had to fight over who slept in which beds (which was hilarious to watch because they would knock each other off the beds and throw pillows at each- other), because why would I turn down a pull out couch when offered?

6. They're our protectors.

Whether our brothers are younger or older than us, over the years they become protective over us, especially when it comes to the guy we bring home.... They want to make sure we are safe and the guy we are with is good enough. I personally think it's nice that they do this. It makes us feel secure when they are around. They've got our back no matter what. If they have this hunch something isn't right just be prepared to be the #1 on their list to set straight.

7. They'll be straight up with you.

Constantly being around the guys you begin to notice how blunt they are with you about anything. They won't sugar coat a thing when you ask them questions either. One time I was coming down the stairs and I had way to much make up on because I was trying to cover up pimples all over my face. One of my brothers looked up and goes, "Kiersten you look like a clown took your make up off or reduce it". Yup, those are my brothers for you but they mean well.

8. Having the toilet seat up.

Growing up with brothers means the toilet seat is never down regardless of how many times you tell them. If you were one of those sisters that always was the victim for falling into the toilet because your brothers forgot to put it down, don't worry you aren't the only one. This did happen to me a few times. I would be so out of it and go to the restroom and the next thing I knew I'd be in the toilet... they'd come running over to the bathroom and start laughing.

9. We learn to stand up for ourselves.

From all the teasing, being picked on, comments being fired back and forth from your brothers, you began to throw witty come backs, even though it was all in fun. You became more out spoken and are able to stand up for yourself if necessary.

Living with brothers is not bad at all and we should thank them for being in our lives! They've changed us for the better, so here's to you guys. Thanks for being the best brothers a girl could ask for.