My brother just turned 16 yesterday and I haven't felt this old... ever. It is way too crazy how the time has flown by. I still remember being 5 and wondering what kind of creature he was exactly when I first saw him in the hospital crib a day after he was born. And now, here he is, a full-blown adolescent and a few steps closer to adulthood. I really can't believe it. In honor of the baby in our family finally becoming a non-baby, here are 10 reasons why I love my brother more than anyone else in the world.

1. We are twins (sort of).

There may be five years of age difference but we couldn't be more in sync if we tried. We have our own coded language of looks, gestures, and inimitable noises that, apparently, no one else can understand. Go figure. It would drive our mom insane when were younger because we would burst out laughing at the dinner table over things she didn't get the reference to or just get the humor. It still takes too long to explain a lifetime of inside jokes and references to stuff only we know and love. Sorry, Mom!

2. But we're not twins.

Even though we get each other like nobody else can, we are very different people. My mom always said we were like heads and tails. We're part of the same coin, but still polar opposites. I think it's the perfect way to describe us. He's outgoing and makes friends easily. He likes science and math. He likes video games and sports and milk in a cup next to his cereal. The real-life yin to my yang. But it's definitely a good thing that we are different.

3. We've been through everything together.

Maybe because my nuclear family is so small I feel that this one hits home the most. Through thick and thin, we've had to go through it all other like it or not. It's kinda amazing to have my brother be the one person in the world who experienced the exact same things I did. From times when our parents were unemployed to packing up and moving to another state, he has been by my side every step of the way. And I know it'll still be that way for years to come.

4. He's one tough cookie.

If he scrapes his knee, he gets right back up again. If his coach gave him a hard training session the day before, he still gets up bright and early and works out again the next day. Three years ago, he ended up being hospitalized for a week, but he still cracked jokes, handled everything like a pro, and even ordered take-out to his hospital bed. Currently, he's battling braces sans painkillers. Pretty impressive, right? Compared to me, trust me, it's impressive.

5. We're both obsessed with cats, dogs, and any other cute four-legged creature.

Maybe it's genetics but we both adore cats and dogs and want to adopt every single stray we see. A month ago we finally succeeded in getting our mom to get a new dog and he sends me daily snapchats of her just being a puppy. It's something that a lot of people are surprised to see how much cute animals affect me, but my brother totally gets. We're the kind of people who get choked up on a picture of a teacup pig and who laugh hours on end at videos of goats bleating. Yep.

6. He still lets me be his big sister.

Although he can be so stubborn at times, he still listens to and values my opinion. When I gave him advice I can tell that it won't just go through one ear and out the other like he might do to others. I also respect that we are different from each other and he doesn't have to be perfect as our mom wants us both to be. He knows I will always have his back and he will always be my baby brother.

7. He's an even bigger goofball than I am.

He's the creator of our secret language so he knows exactly how to cheer me up or make me laugh so hard my stomach hurts for hours. Without him, I'm not sure how our family could have seen the bright side to all of the obstacles we had thrown our way. His ever-present smile and happy-go-lucky attitude is something I always miss having around at college.

8. He's a good sport.

If there's a prize for World's Most Annoying Sister, I guess I've already won that. When he was younger I told him enough tall tales to fill several anthologies. Once I made up a story about a homeless man who lived in the sewers and would try to escape through the toilets. Needless to say he was scared to sit on the toilet for days after that. I also told him the classic sibling "You're adopted" tale but mine came with a twist: our parents had gotten him off adopt-a-kid-from-mars.org! I don't know how he's forgiven me for what certainly would give anyone else enough trauma to set a therapist up for life. Mostly I'm just glad he turned out okay, and he still loves me, even after all of the lies and the projects he's had to start in when I was still an aspiring photographer and filmmaker. I haven't said this enough but thank you.

9. He'll always be my baby brother.

He's a gift. Simple as that. Somehow, destiny decided to give me a brother to take care of, protect, and love. And, no matter what, it's a role that I take really seriously and take pride in. Family first and foremost.

10. He's my best friend.

Understanding, loyal, honest (albeit sometimes brutally so), funny, ... he's got it all. On top of all that, we like the same TV shows. What more could I possibly want in a best friend?

In all seriousness, I am lucky to have a brother like him to call my own. "We’re blood. The ties that bind us aren’t separable; we can’t snip them with words or swords; we can’t forget about them or pretend they’re not there. Because they are there. Our lives are intrinsically linked beyond mere buzzwords like love, duty, or friendship."

Happy birthday, my little one!