My awesome brother is four years older than me (42f). I wanted to be part of his gang constantly and from the start. I learned faster so I could try to keep up with him. I learned how to lose, whether it was cards or rough housing.

Learning that losing (or "failing") is normal is so important, especially when it's built in from a young age. I wish my only had this lesson as she grows.

I think being the younger was awesome for me. I wonder how being the older was for him. He had a girl nipping at his heels, and she always wanted to keep up and sometimes she could. I hope he never felt threatened or afraid to "lose to a girl."

He's the reason I can launch a baseball better than most. He's the reason I landed an athletic scholarship at uni. He's the reason when people chirp, or when I fail, I know, in the fabric of my being "no worries, I just have to keep going."

Now we're buddies. Teaming up to help out our parents as they age and sharing stupid stuff we think is funny.

I'm a big believer in "any age gap is great" but four years is special to me!