When you give a girl a brother, she's probably going to be sad at first, but then she will realize it was the greatest gift she's ever received.

She'll teach him "her ways" in everything she does. Mom and dad won't stand a chance when they want something.

She will be by his side no matter what the situation is because that's what sisters are for.

She will be so excited to see the sparkle in his eyes after he comes home smiling from his first day of school because he made his first friend.

She will say no to playing outside, but then give in after she sees him slouching alone on the couch with tears in his eyes. (The puppy dog eyes always work.)

She'll find herself looking for every single excuse to come see her brother because "school is too much," and coming home for the weekend is always so nice.

She'll tell him that he's adopted when she's mad at him, just to watch him cry to Mom and get yelled at later. (Yes, this still happens even as an adult in college.)

She will listen to him sing the latest song by Sam Hunt while he's dancing around the kitchen and you're making brownies.

But slowly, she will realize her baby brother is growing up.

She will find herself asking (begging) her brother to cuddle even when he thinks he's too cool for it. (Side note: you're never going to outgrow the cuddles, Bud.)

She will become his personal chauffeur, but won't even care because it's just extra time to have little jam sessions with her best friend.

She will put a smile on her face, even when she's holding back tears, as she returns to her car to pack up her bags and return to college. Those goodbyes never get easier.

You're the greatest gift, Bud.

Trust me, I'm going to complain every single day about how you made me play outside with you even on the coldest days, and I'm going to be mad when you go into my room when I'm not there. But there isn't a day that passes that I do not think about you. I wouldn't give you up for the world. If one day, you asked me to run into a burning building to save you, my heart wouldn't skip a beat, and I would be right there.

My life changed drastically the day I met you, Buddy. When you give a girl a brother, you give her the greatest gift she'll ever receive.