Top Ten Reasons Why, If My Brother Was Not My Brother, I Would Want Him To Be (In Ascending Order)

If you know me personally, you may know that a) I have a thing for writing lists, and b) today is my little brother's birthday - he's turning fifteen.  So, in celebration of these two points, I have comprised a list of reasons why I consider myself pretty lucky to have Simon as a brother (even though I'd never be able to say them to his face - it's a sibling thing :P)


NUMBER 10!!  THE FRIENDLY COMPETITION!!
My brother is one of those kids that does not have to study at all and still earns straight As.  I am one of those kids that also gets straight As, but has to work really, really hard for 'em.  For this reason, Simon's educational success has always acted as a little extra motivation for me.  He sets a high bar that I have always felt the need to meet or surpass.


NUMBER 9!!  THE TIME WHEN I WAS EIGHT AND HE NEARLY KNOCKED MY TWO FRONT TEETH OUT WITH A BASEBALL!!
Yeah, odd subject to include on this list.  Upon reflection, however, I've discovered the service this accident and the events following has done me.  I used to have a gap between my two front teeth that would probably still be there if the dentist had not straightened them out while re-inserting them into my gums.  Also, I believe my large pain threshold and the fact that I am not afraid of needles spawned from the long recovery process following the incident.  Yeah, it hurt, but thanks anyway, bro.


NUMBER 8!!  THE LIFE LESSONS!!
One of the reasons I think "only children" often grow up a little bratty is due to the lack of siblings.  Especially if they are close in age (as I am with my brother) siblings do so much to teach one another about patience, sharing, compromise, understanding, compassion, companionship...  The list goes on.  These are lessons that can not be taught better than from a brother or sister.


NUMBER 7!!  THE DISPOSITION!!
Simon has this eternal sunniness about him that can be detected within seconds of meeting him - it's one of the first things you notice.  He's one of those people that just exudes happiness, and it's difficult to be down around him.


NUMBER 6!!  THE HONESTY!!
My brother wears his heart on his sleeve, a trait that is becoming increasingly rare in this day and age, particularly among the male half of humanity.  He's not afraid to coo over a kitten, dress up for halloween or spend a lunchhour here and there in the library.  Is it "geeky"?  Yes.  Is it 3 bajillion times better than pretending to be someone you're not in fear of appearing "uncool"?  Yes.  Simon's a geek, I'm a geek, hater's will hate, and if anyone gives him a tough time about it I will hop on a plane and personally... Ask you politely but firmly to stop, because that isn't very nice.


NUMBER 5!!  THE HEART!!
Simon is a caring individual and he'd be friends with anyone.  I've known him exactly 15 years now and so can say with authority that never once has he done anything mean-spirited or cold.  And he loves animals, and he does his best at everything and... I dunno, he's just a good guy!


NUMBER 4!!  THE TRAVEL COMPANION!!
Living in a separated family with our extended family stationed throughout both South Africa and the US makes for lot of traveling.  And may I add that, be it spending a Wednesday night at our Dad's, a week in Hood River, or a month in South Africa, travelling is not the same without my little brother.  We've seen and experienced a lot together, and on the whole, it's been a blast.  And I look very much forward to the voyages awaiting us.


NUMBER 3!!  THE PERSEVERANCE!!
There are a lot of jerks in the world right now.  I don't know if anyone else has noticed, but it appears that presently, good people go through a hard time simply because they stay true to who they are and do what they believe is right.  There is a lot of pressure, particularly on boys, to act and think in a certain way, and it takes a person with a lot of courage and commitment to swim against the current when it's not flowing in the direction they want it to.  With pride I say that my brother is is one of these people.  He does his best to be the bigger man and stands up for what he believes in... Even if that means that occasionally, he must stand alone. 


NUMBER 2!!  THE SHARED SENSE OF HUMOUR!!
This is a huge point for me because so much of the relationship Simon and I share rides on what we find funny.  The Youtube videos that make most people go O.o have us in tears; we laugh at the same gags in comic books; we have conversations that are entirely comprised of reciting dialogue from a favourite movie.  There's a saying that goes: "Nothing shows one’s character better than what one laughs at".  I don't know what our sense of humour has to say about us, only that we match perfectly.


NUMBER 1!!  THE FRIENDSHIP!!
Man... Simon's just a cool kid to be with.  He's funny and intelligent; he cares about other people; he's well-read and polite...  I've always considered the words "friend" and "family" basically synonymous.  If you don't love your family as friends, they're not family at all - if you truly love your friends, they're as good as family.  I'm happy to say Simon's the best of both.

Bro, you're the Scott to my Stacey, which is pretty damn sweet.  Have a great birthday, and be seein' you soon.

With love, Sarah B