Five things I love about my brother

I was privileged to grow up with one brother and he is two years younger than me. I feel like the luckiest sister on earth to have him. Here are a few reasons why:

1. He's funny

No, he's hilarious! He is one of the few people that can make me laugh out loud every single time I see him. He loves to play jokes on people. He often tries to sneak up on his wife and surprise her. She was raised by a police officer and sandwiched between two brothers, so one time when my brother surprised her, she decked him!

2. He believes what he believes

It doesn't matter what he believes. It could be that Neil Armstrong landing on the moon was all a conspiracy. Or that Tupac was never really murdered. Or his faith in God. Whatever it is, he believes what he believes and you can't shake him. As one who tends to waiver a little more, I really respect that about him. Don't bother getting in an argument with him... you won't win!

3. He is caring

That's me and my brother (and KK on the inside) at his wedding. My brother has always been really caring. When I would tire of a doll or teddy bear, he would adopt it and chastise me for hurting its feelings. As a teenager, he slept with a bed full of teddy bears because he didn't want to put any on the floor and have them feel that they weren't wanted as much as the others. He loves his family intensely and works hard to provide for them. He was very protective of me growing up, even though he was the younger one. I remember many times when he defended me on the playground at school.

4. He has quite a tank on him

He never has to make a pee stop, so if you're in a hurry, he's handy to have around. And if you need a drink finished, he's the man.

(He probably didn't have to pee for 3 days after that drink!)

5. He is my friend for life

We've been friends from the start. Of all the friends I had as a kid, he was my constant. We invented games together. We collected grasshoppers and ants. We dreamed of one day pumping so hard on the swings that we could flip ourselves over the top. We hide-and-seeked. We played house. We played barbies. (Bro, I've still got your Ken doll if you want him back... his head keeps falling off though). Some days, as I watch my own two children develop their relationship, I ache so much to go back to those days with him.

Sure we had our rough years in our adolescence, but once I moved out, we were close again. He would call me up at University, "Sis, I've just punched a hole in the wall. What do I do now?"

As adults, we have negotiated the maze of our parents' divorce together. Each one of us, at separate times, has challenged the other to grow to the next level of healing (although I'd have to say that he challenges me in this way more than I do him... I often need a little push to grow).

He lives hours and hours away from me now and I miss him intensely. He and his wife are one of our favourite couples to hang with.

He's good people. I'm lucky to have him.

Love you bro.

What's your five things this week? Write a blog post and link up to join the fun. Or, if you don't have a blog, leave me your list in the comments. You don't have to copy my topic, but feel free if you need a little direction. I can't wait to hear what y'all have to say!