One of the most important relationships to me is the one I have with my younger and only brother. Of course, I have always loved him, loved picking on him, and loved wearing his clothes to school when we were little and I was a major tomboy, but we did not become close until I moved away for college.

This will remain one of my most cherished days because not only had I been waiting for this day since I started high school, but I felt a sense of independence as I packed each and every box and lined them up in front of my door. I packed the essentials; shower caddy, the complete series of Dawson’s Creek on DVD, my Joe Jonas poster and pictures of my loved ones. We packed our Hummer and headed straight to Muncie where I was about to begin my new chapter. Once we arrived and unpacked everything in my dorm, we realized that we had forgotten a few major things. This was my family’s first experience with college so we made a last minute trip to Walmart to pick up the final few things. I jumped out of my car and looked around and didn’t see my brother. I asked my grandparents where he was and they told me he wasn’t getting out of the car because he was really upset. Confused, I opened their back door to their Impala and he was a crying, emotional mess.

“Please don’t stay here,” he said as tears streamed down his face.

I couldn’t help but smile because in that moment, I knew he would really miss me as much as I was going to miss him, even though I wasn’t about to admit that to anyone, especially him. I learned later he slept in my bedroom for the first week while I was gone.

While I was away at school, and I would come home and visit he would always end up in my room and sit on my bed and we would catch up on everything. Even though we never really vocalized to each other how we felt most times, my brother and I had a mutual understanding of our feelings. It felt like enough then, but if I could, I would change the way we communicated because we are so close now and I think this would have been possible years ago. I think this is only natural with siblings, but I am so happy I can call my brother one of my best friends today.

Just the other night I was sitting on the back porch reading, when just like clockwork, the back door opened and my brother walked through the door. He sat down and froze with me outside for about an hour. We laughed, we discussed some serious issues and then he felt the need to give me advice. I still laugh at his advice, but at least he tries. I like that we have secrets that just the two of us know. Seeing our relationship become a stronger bond has shown me how important communication is.

He has shown me that if I am unsure about something, all I need to do is ask about it. It is that simple. The answers aren’t always what I want to hear, but it’s better than assuming or overanalyzing every minute detail hours on end. He will always be a better person than me, so I do cherish his words of wisdom and making things a little more simple with basic communication. Even though it took us a little bit, our communication and relationship is stronger than it has ever been. He left me with one piece of vital advice that I find completely true. He said, “don’t be a stranger, it’s that simple.” I can use this with just about every other relationship I have with anyone.

P.S. Thanks broseph for bracing the rain and taking this photo.

Steal my look today: Fire Los Angeles Two Piece set: T.J. Maxx, American Eagle sweater: American Eagle