(Besides your dad of course)

1. He's your partner in crime.

If you're as close in age as my brother and I are, then you probably know what I'm talking about. Starting in high school you'd cover for each other and be each other's spokesperson. As you get older, you begin to develop a relationship that more closely resembles Monica and Ross.

2. When your parents are being ridiculous (sorry mom and dad) they're the only ones who it's acceptable to complain and roll your eyes to.

When mom does something embarrassing, they're the first ones you call or text because they totally know that what mom did was embarrassing. Getting yelled at? Count on your brother to start making funny faces over mom or dads shoulder. What is John doing you ask? Oh nothing! My brother is also the only person I know who can turn a straight faced lecture from our mom into a laughter induced conversation to which she starts questioning why she was lecturing us in the first place.

3. You know how mom is always right about everything? Well brothers have a sixth sense when it comes to the guys you date.

Whenever you tell your brother about the new guy in your life, he always is one hundred percent accurate in guessing his character. Your brother realizes the type of guy you deserve before you even realize it. If you're interested in one of his friends he will immediately tell you if the friend is not good enough, because even though they're close pals, you're his sister and he knows the kind of guy you deserve in your life. It's only in hindsight that you realize everything your brother said about whichever guy you were seeing at the time, is true. I now trust my brother's opinion more than I trust my own sometimes (boys beware!).

4. You can count on him to take your side when mom and dad won't.

Mom and dad always want what's best for you, but sometimes what they think is best and what you think is best aren't the same thing. Having a brother pretty much guarantees you have someone on your side 100% of the time.

5. He's taught you not to take yourself to seriously.

My brother is sarcastic, my brother is a funny guy, my brother likes to make jokes at my expense most of the time. Sure sometimes he goes a little too far, but ultimately gets me to laugh along at what he's said. Your brother keeps you down to earth and doesn't let you take yourself too seriously. If you can't laugh at yourself, then what can you laugh at?

6. He values what you have to say.

He has his two cents to put in on your own life, but he also wants your advice for things going on in his. Whether it's about girls, school, or the 'rents you've got his back and he knows it.

7. It doesn't matter how long it's been since you talked.

Especially if you're both in college and attending different schools, it can be hard to keep in touch as often as if you were home. But you both know you can call, text, or see each there in person and you'll be back to your old antics.

8. He lets you choose the channel or station.

I'm just kidding this one is totally a lie. That childhood thing he did where he'd steal the remote, hide it, and refuse to tell you where it was, still happens. And now it happens when you're both in the car when you're driving. But it's ok because now he doesn't watch totally lame shows so you both end up laughing at whatever he puts on the TV. But his choice in music is questionable...

9. He's the one you yell at to come help when you don't know how to fix the TV, your computer... or just anything really...

Why are guys always so tech savvy? Your brother mysteriously knows more about how to get the DVD player to work than you do. Or maybe I'm just really bad at it?

Thanks John for still to this day never taking a normal picture with me, it keeps sibling pics interesting!