Boys. Of the familial variety.

I think it was the Pevensies that first started my life-long wish for an older brother. Peter and Edmund filled the role perfectly--that stereotypical-yet-much-desired, teasing-but-protective not-quiet-perfect big brother that I've always wanted. My favorite doll from my dollhouse when I was younger was always the teenage boy--he had a ponytail and was AWESOME. (On a quick side note, I have nothing against my younger brother, who actually exists. But older brothers are different.) I've had ample opportunity to observe my friends' big brothers recently, but when I was younger most of my friends were oldest children like me, so my experience with the species was almost entirely literary. But I'll admit, literary boys are the best kind, and brothers are no exception. I have here compiled a quick list:
Peter and Edmund Pevensie (The Chronicles of Narnia)
Bill, Charlie, Fred, George, Ron, and yes, even Percy Weasley (Harry Potter)
Eomer (The Lord of the Rings)
John Ridd (Lorna Doone)
Ben Wheelock (Girl In Blue)
Tom Woodlawn (Caddie Woodlawn)

And there are more and more! But a while ago I got to thinking, there are just as many books where the "big brother" figure isn't actually related by blood. While this may seem like a pretty crucial credential, these brothers are just as good. Here's another list, this time of unbiological big brothers (please ignore any romantic implications that may come up later in the book, as this post is merely about the brotherly aspect):

Theodore Laurence (Little Women)
Harry Potter (to Hermione, Harry Potter)
Dickon Sowerby (The Secret Garden)
Nathaniel Eaton (The Witch of Blackbird Pond)
Calvin O'Keefe (A Wrinkle in Time)

The lightbulb went on! I do have big brothers--several, in fact, and the best you could ever wish for. They are my wonderful guy friends, of course. The first, whom we shall call...Colonial Kid, actually features in a book my friend is writing--and, no surprise, he's our "brother" in there, too. Then there's my red-headed brother, "Ron." This particular Ginny is very glad he's around. And we can't forget the "brothers" who are related to me but not actually my siblings. I have some incredible cousins, at least one of whom I think all of my followers know. We'll call him Earnest, after one of his favorite movies. Earnest is seriously one of the best people I know. He has such a strong testimony, is incredibly nice, and very funny. He's probably the most big-brotherly of all of them: in the absence of an actual elder brother, he's taken over the roles of Official Tease and Protector Extraordinaire. A great big thanks to all my brothers, real or surrogate...or even imaginary.

I'll finish up with a song from Little Women (the musical) and some pictures of the best brothers around.

Jo

I want to declare before everyone,
before the world,that on this day of
forgiveness and joy, that you
Theodore Laurence the Third--who
has valiantly lost all contest to me--
I declare you our brother: the
brother we never had
 Swear to us your
greatest oath of loalty.
An oath as dazzling as your charms.

Laurie

I swear I'll follow you like royalty

Amy/Meg/Beth

Come wear our royal coat of arms.

Jo

From now on we are joined
And we shall not be parted.
From this day on it's all for one
And one for all for life

Laurie

We'll live like musketeers.

Amy/Meg/Beth

Together we'll prevail.

All

We'll be five for all
forever from now on.

Beth
Now each of us must
swear for all eternity:
Our bond shall never be undone

Amy/Jo/Meg/Laurie
Nothing shall sever this fraternity.

All
We'll always live and die as one.
From now on we are joined
And we shall not be parted.

Jo
From this day on it's all for one.

All
And one for all for life.

Jo

Together we will fight

Laurie
Your battles will be mine.

All

We'll be five for all forever
From now on.
Speech! Speech!

Laurie

On this wonderful day.
One I'll never forget.
I am honored to say i am yours.

All
From this day on we swear
That we shall not be parted
From this day on, no matter what,
We're five for all for life.
We'll conquer every foe

Jo
With our brother by our side

Jo
We'll consider any friend.

Laurie
We'll be loyal to the end!

Girls

We'll be five for all forever

Laurie
We'll be five for all forever

All
We'll be five for all
Forever from now on!