Ben Wendel is my brother. Yes, we have different surnames. That’s ’cause we have different dads. But that’s a different story.

My brother is a talented musician, composer, producer and instructor.

He’s charming and likeable and (thanks to his fashion-conscious wife Marisa) a snappy dresser.

Years ago, when my brother picked me up from ballet class in his beat-up Toyota Corolla, my fellow pre-teen ballerinas clamored towards the doorway in grand hysterics, fawning and mewling because he was “sooo cute.”

That phenomenon hasn’t really subsided. But that’s not why I love my brother.

I love my brother because he makes me laugh till I’m in physical discomfort. I love him because he didn’t disown me during my dark late-teen era. Because he can detect when my new friends are crazy and unhealthy (waaay before I can). Because he adores his dogs with unapologetic fervor. Because he evaluates my hugs and deems some of them “insincere.” Because he loves Iron Chef.

Ben: I love you even more than this recording of Chairman Kaga’s performance of “Confrontation” from Jekyll & Hyde: the Musical. Yup. It’s true.

(Image via I Love My T-shirt’s Cafepress Shop)