It's International Brother's Day and we thought all the brothers out there could do with a big aul pat on the back for putting up with us... the sisters.

Truth be told, I always wanted a sister. So much so, that I'd knock around to my best friends house and ask if HER older sister was available to play with me (morto). Growing up with just a brother was sometimes taxing, I believe there was an entire year when our interaction consisted exclusively of sporadic grunts from behind cereal boxes. As I've grown up though I've learned that being one-half of a  brother/sister duo has its perks. With that in mind, on this day (and ONLY this day, so enjoy it!) I thought the best way to say thanks was to list all the lovely things that come along with being a little sister to a big brother.

• You develop a tough skin - I think there were a solid 6 months during my childhood when my brother called me the pot-belly pig. There was no direct reasoning for it... I was quite a svelte child, he found it hilarious and it annoyed the sh*t out of me, and so a nickname was born. The truth is the best slagging you'll ever get will come from your brother, and it will equip you to cope with pretty much everything.
• You have constant access to all your crushes - When the 'lads' come over and you suddenly have to make a sandwich, growing up with a brother has one major perk... the brother's friends.via GIPHY

 

• You cut the bullsh*t - Aside from perhaps your parents, there are few people in this world that know you better than a brother, this goes for the good stuff and also the bad. Rest assured if you're ever being a complete eejit, he'll let you know.

via GIPHY  

• You learn weird 'boy' stuff against your will - To this day I'm incredibly proud of my WWE knowledge, and I KNOW that I can perform the 'People's Elbow' or the 'Walls of Jericho' better than anyone else on my road. Fact.

 

Bedtime antics .... I never got to wear the cowboy hat #TBT #siblings #cowboys #ninetiesfashion #fitslikeaglove #thatlino #throwback #brother #sister #family

A post shared by Niamh Maher (@niamh_maher) on Sep 29, 2016 at 11:16am PDT

 

• You learn to compete -  Oooooooooh the competition between a brother and sister runs deep, throw in a couple of parents who arrange family table tennis competitions and you are ready to FIGHT for what you deserve. Also, be warned this competitiveness does NOT go down well with other human people.

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• You get off easy with your parents: He takes the slack, that's his job as a big brother. Unfortunately for him, he ALWAYS breaks everything in the house.

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• You learn to hide your emotions - Not saying that we shouldn't show our emotions, but at times, it can be good to suck it up.  In the words of Tom Hanks... there's 'NO CRYING IN BASEBALL'.

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• You have built in protection although he'll never admit it - You get a glimpse now and again...not all the time, but enough to know that he really would do anything for you. Most of the time he's calling you a pot-belly pig, but you know he has your back for life, no matter how much you annoy him.

 

• You have a constant source of style inspiration - It's not just sisters who bring the style*.

A post shared by Niamh Maher (@niamh_maher) on Dec 6, 2014 at 2:06am PST

  *Apologies to the big brother in question for the throwback photos (it was bound to happen).