I would be concerned too if I were your older brother.
17 and 26 is a big difference.
Relationships move alot more quickly at age 26 and I just don't see the need for it at age 17. Also, he lives 6 hours away, and long distance relationships are very difficult and often not based in the same reality as living in the same town.
There are so many experiences you need to go through in life - Have you even graduated high school yet? .. That I don't really know how a 26 year old could fully relate to a 17 year old -
These are all my gut concerns - if I were your big brother.
That being said I knew a 19 year old navy guy who fell in love with a 13 year old girl - they had no steady "relationship" but stayed in touch over the years, and by the time the young girl was in her mid twenties they got married - I think she was 25 and he was 31, which is quite reasonable. The age thing melts away as you get older. that was over 10 years ago and they now have 3 kids ... so it's all possible... but it is against the odds. Anyways, if it is meant to work out, then you guys can stay in touch and see how it plays out...
But I don't blame your brother ... just being honest :-)
