BOND BROTHERS OF

The word “brothers” evokes all kinds of enduring images.

John Fitzgerald, Bobby and Ted.

David and Ricky. The Doobies.

Joel and Ethan.

Even Jake and Elwood.

There’s something powerful about the word “brothers,” which is probably why people often apply it to people they aren’t related to.

Oh, brother… He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother… Closer than brothers… Brothers in arms… He’s like a brother to me… Band of brothers… Brother from another mother… etc.

We all want to have a brother who understands us, tolerates us, compliments our weaknesses with his strengths. In fact, we want true brotherhood so badly that we’re willing to draft a friend to be the bro we’re just not that close to.

In most families, brothers merely tolerate each other. It’s rare to see fleshy brothers remain best friends decades after they hunted, fished and played ball side by side as kids. After high school, most go their separate ways. You go your way, I’ll go mine, see you at holidays and funerals. Oh, and let’s talk once a week.

Real brothers march through life together. They have a love that makes them want to share as much of their lives together as they can. And that means working together, side-by-side.

They are truly bound to each other. This month, we applaud the Bond of Brothers, a connection so strong that it triumphs over the pressure of working together. Here, in their words, is how they do it.