Having a big brother is the absolute best. Sure, sometimes they tease, tickle, or steal the last cookie. But for the most part, having a big brother means knowing there's always someone to count on, someone who will come to the rescue as a shoulder to cry on one minute and doing something ridiculous just to make us laugh the next. We can't imagine what life would be like without them (Seriously, they were here before us so we literally can't remember a life without them). And why would we ever want to?
A big brother is one part protector and one part best friend. He might be the person that teases us the most, but he'll also be our biggest defender if someone else tries to bully us. After all, no one can say anything bad about us unless it's him, right?
As children, a big brother is the person we look to for advice on everything. They teach us important life lessons, such as how to get out of eating vegetables at dinner time, the best way to get Mom to say, "Yes," and the magical secret code that unlocks dad's iPad.
Even as we get older, we still need our big brothers to show us the way. Their sense of style and opinions on everything from music to clothes is how we decide what's cool. They do the hard work of forging a teen-sized path with our parents, so by the time we get there, all the hard decisions about when we can date and how late curfew should be have already been settled.
Here are 20 photos of amazing big brothers in action to remind us how great it is to have one.
Better Than a Teddy Bear
Big brothers made the best nap buddies. They are squishy, soft, and always cuddly. Plus when they're sleeping they aren't torturing us so…
Cartoon Company
Teens can be moody at times. But not even puberty can break the special bond between these two. We love seeing big brothers making time for their little buddies.
A Big Help
The best big brothers don't just share their toys — they play with their little siblings, too. Watching them interact is the sweetest thing ever. These two are going to stay close forever, we can just feel it.
Big Squeeze
Nothing makes a mom misty-eyed faster than seeing her two babies hug. The love between these two is palpable.
Holding Hands
Posing for photos is one thing, but catching a big brother being sweet when he thinks no one's watching is truly special. Now we know his secret.
Adoring Eyes
The real gift this Christmas was seeing how much this little one adores big brother. And truthfully that's how we all start out looking at our big brothers.
Study Buddy
This big bro is perfectly content to share his love of reading with his little sis. Look at these two bonding! It's just the sweetest.
Hi, Brother
TFW they realize being a big brother is pretty awesome. And judging by that look, he's always going to take that job seriously.
iPad Pals
To much quiet can set off the mom radar — surely they must be up to something. But this time, that "something" was some seriously sweet big brother snuggles.
Double the Love
What's better than one big brother? Two! This photo perfectly captures the moment when two big brothers realize they've got someone new in their lives who will look up to them forever.
Handy Helper
Not sure what's sweeter, that big brother wants to help, or that little sis loves him so much that she can't stop grinning long enough to eat.
Pure Love
This big brother loves his little brother and wants the world to know it. Boys everywhere should be taking notes from these two.
Constant Protector
Even when they're just hanging around, big brothers are there to keep their little sisters safe. And we can tell this little guy will totally do that all the days of his life.
An Unbreakable Bond
Being a big brother means sometimes letting go of the idea of "personal space." It doesn't look like he minds all that much.
Story Time
This sweet big brother is taking his duty to teach his little sister about the world very seriously. And she's loving it!
The Perfect Place to Rest
With his full body, not-getting-up-until-I-have-to lean, it's clear this little guy loves his big bro, and the feeling is obviously mutual.
He's Got This
Being a big brother to not just one, but two younger siblings is a lot to live up to, but this grinning cutie is clearly up to the challenge.
Nap Buddies
Want to know a secret? Big brothers love their siblings just as much as their little siblings love them.
Best Friends
It's sweet big brother moments like this that make us think about expanding the family. Just look at these snuggly best buddies.
Carbon Copy
Little siblings love to copy everything their big brothers do, from favorite foods and toys right down to clothes and hairstyles.
