WHY HAVING A BIG BROTHER IS GOOD FOR YOU

In a small apartment on the Portuguese coast, I nearly smashed his skull to pieces. Just like he took down that blood-irritating little brat from fifth grade, who hurled unkind things at me more than once. I got his unfiltered opinion on everything, even when I didn't want to hear it and stuffed my fingers in my ears, shouting ‘lalalala’ very loudly. After my twentieth birthday, I finally got a bit of credit from him regarding my intelligence. My big brother, my plover, my crash course on how bizarre the man is. How much I love that man, because yes, that's what he is by now. A thirty-something with the most wonderful girlfriend and a house he owns.

This brings me right to point one of why having a brother is good for you. You get sisters as a bonus. I already had one from my own family in the pocket, but now I have two, and that third one is definitely on the way, she just doesn't know it yet.

With a brother, you are always on your toes, which means you are sharp and, if things go well, quite witty. You benefit from this in the adult world. Thanks to your brother, yes.

Men can cry too, and thus they have feelings. You learn this at a young age, and it might just be that you are the instigator of those big tears on his cheeks.

The protector is present when you need him. Yes,

even when you've made a mess of things yourself. Brotherly love is (almost) limitless. He makes sure that everything will be alright with you.

With a bit of luck, he has a left and a right hand, and otherwise, he has muscles to ensure that you are okay with your move.

Man logic is your second language. Okay is not really okay at all; they just say that to get rid of you. But clear communication is your forte. You know very well that the man does not read between the lines, so you express yourself. And that gets you a few steps further in life.

The pleasures actually start in high school because you have unlimited access to his handsome friends. He finds that absolutely nothing, but there has to be something to gain. By the way, you can't say anything when he gets back at you with your girlfriends; that right to speak goes out the window with the first move you make.

Okay, and now I want to know what Elke and Kiek have learned from those big sisters, because I think that is also quite educational for your later life.