18 Thank Yous Every Sister Owes Her Brother But Just Never Said

Brothers: When we were little, they were annoying and smelly, and always blamed us for everything in front our parents.

But, now, as grown women trying to navigate life (and, more importantly, love), we find ourselves picking up our phones to call that one person we know will have all the right answers, confidence-boosting quotes and sometimes much-needed kick in the butt.

Growing up as older and younger sisters, we never thought we would say we needed our brothers. But, as we get older and try to figure our lives, we find our brothers are the first people we turn to for support.

They give us an unmatchable insight that can’t be rivaled by even our closest girlfriends, mothers, boyfriends or fathers. Our brothers see us in a way no one else can.

Sisters everywhere want to say “thank you” to our brothers, for being an eternal friend, loving family member and the best example of the perfect man we could ask for.

Thank you for those “brother to sister” talks.

Whether I was helping you figure out how to talk to a girl you liked, or you were helping me figure out what signals a guy was sending, I have so much insight into the world of dating and love because of those talks.

Thank you for allowing me to empathize with fathers.

I now understand why "no girl is good enough for you."

Thank you for being honest with me when I was dating the wrong guy.

I may not have realized it at the time, but you saved me from major heartbreak and reminded me I could do better. I did deserve better.

Thank you for coming to the rescue when a boy broke my heart.

I don't know how I would have survived any heartbreak without you eating ice cream or watching a romantic movie with me. Thank you for always hugging me and letting me stain your favorite sweatshirt with tears.

Thank you for covering for me.

The stories you told to distract Mom and Dad the nights I snuck back into my room through the window or came home drunk are legendary. You were always willing to take one for the team.

Thank you for letting me tag along with your “bros” when I needed a pick-me-up.

You were there for me when I got dumped, when my best friend was out of town or when I just needed a distraction.

Thank you for asking my opinion about your love life.

Knowing that you value my opinion means more to me than I could ever express.

Thank you for telling me I am beautiful, despite having seen me at my worst.

Thank you for giving me the confidence not to care about what other people think.

Thank you for teaching me about cars, video games and getting dirty.

Because of you, I can impress any guy with my knowledge of the game and my ability to get on his level.

Thank you for teaching me how to be tough.

Physically, mentally and emotionally.

Thank you for bringing comic relief into any situation.

You can always save me from awkward family moments, or take my mind off of a breakup with your humor. You make me laugh so hard I can barely breath, and when it's over, I can't remember why I was even crying in the first place.

Thank you for doing “girly” things with me when we were little.

I will forever appreciate the times you let me put makeup on you and I made you play with dolls.

Thank you for protecting me from scary bugs and monsters.

You are the first person I think to call for help when I see a spider crawling up the wall.

Thank you for being a great body guard for awkward situations with exes.

I can’t thank you enough for this one. You are the real MVP when my ex is back in town.

Thank you for saving me from doing things I'd regret.

Whether it was sending an embarrassing text to a crush, or rebelling against Mom and Dad, you always talked some sense into me.

Thank you for being a good man.

You are the person who taught me what I want in a future partner.

Thank you for teaching me how to treat a guy.

You are the first boy I was ever in love with; you are the person I will be forced to love from beginning to end.

In the end, no one can take the place of our brothers. And, for most women, no man will ever be able to live up to them.

They push us to look for the closest match, which is why the right guy is so hard to find.

Whether we are consciously aware of it or not, we are all looking for the one man who reminds us of our brothers.