When I was a child, I thought having a brother 10 years older than me was completely normal. Now I am 20 years old and he is 30. From watching TV shows or hearing horror stories from friends about brother/sister relationships and the usual issues that arise, I realize now that our relationship is very different from the norm.

1. We never fought.

My brother was 18 when I was 8. We couldn't have fought without our parents yelling at him for fighting with a child. The only almost-fight I can remember was when I agreed to give him my marbles if I lost this game, which I did. I gave him my marbles and then started crying, which resulted in our mom making him give me back the marbles. The only other fights we had were during Christmas. Wrapping paper tube sword fights were the best.

2. I remember winning at video games sometimes, but now I realize that couldn't have been real.

My brother was around 16 or 17 when video games became our thing. That would mean I was about 6 or 7. Even when he turned 20 and came home from college to visit, I was still only 10. He was good at video games, too. I couldn't have beat him. He must've let me win intentionally. Hey...

3. Girlfriends sucked.

I considered my brother to be my boy-friend until I realized what the term "boyfriend" meant. Still, scram ladies. We have a date with Super Smash Bros.

4. I thought I was the favorite.

Of course you get special treatment when you're 10 years younger. It went to my little, adolescent head, okay?

5. We both have different biological fathers, but the same dad.

With a 10-year age gap, it is very common that we both have different biological fathers. However, ask us who our dad or father figure is, and we will have the same answer. We're so blessed that we can say that, and it just goes to show that no matter how bad the situation may seem, God has a plan for us. Our dad is a pretty awesome guy, too.

6. Sharing a bathroom was not an issue.

So many girls complain about sharing a bathroom with their siblings, but my brother left for college before I became a teenager. Back then, the only girl product I had in there was a tooth brush.

7. Speaking of college, it sucked.

I just started to get comfortable with playing Halo every night and now you're telling me he's going to Missouri?

8. My brother's room was basically a game room/playground.

Game consoles and board games and weird pets... oh my!

9. Jealousy was a big issue on my end.

How come my brother can have that? How come my brother gets to do that? Um... Maybe because he's legally an adult and you're 8 years old?

10. But I love you.

Yeah, it would have been nice to have you around a little longer, but you'll always be my big, overprotective OLD-er brother, and I wouldn't have it any other way.