I come from a family of four. My mom, my dad, and my little brother Eric. Eric is three years younger than me, although he acts like he's three years older than me. We look alike for sure and some things he does has rubbed off on me.This article is about what my life has been like as the only daughter in the family and how my brother has shaped me into what I am today.

1. No hand-me-downs

I don't get the (sometimes) cute hand-me-down clothes or accessories. I don't get a Coach purse or other expensive things that he doesn't want anymore because he's a guy. I do sometimes steal the occasional sweatshirt or t-shirt (like in the photo), but he will never steal my stuff.

2. Sports... All the time

My brother lives and breathes sports so because of him, sports have been a big influence on my life. He always makes me play 1 v 1 basketball in the driveway or play catch with him. I always lose when we play sports together, but at least it keeps me active!

3. My friends always think he's cute

Yeah, my best friend asked him to her semi-formal for her sorority. He's sixteen and a sophomore in high school. And people think he's older than me so that's great.

4. I have no one to go shopping with

If I ever asked my brother to go to the mall, I would be laughed at. He hates shopping so much that we tease him and tell him we are taking him to the mall.

5. He's always there to help out

He's taller and stronger than me, so he lifts the heavy stuff and opens the jars for me.

6. I've got a constant workout buddy

He's always down to go to the YMCA so if my other friends are busy, I just ask him!

7. And a travel companion

I will drag him with me to go on errands my mom sends me on. I make him come to the store, get gas, and pick up food with me.

8. I always have to buy him food when I go out

If I ever stop at a fast food place, I always have to buy him a meal as well. And it's always double what I get. So if I go to Chick-fil-A, I have to get him two chicken sandwiches instead of just one like a normal person.

9. ESPN is always on

I used to watch so much ESPN and Sportscenter when I was at home because that's all my brother would watch during the day. I even have some favorite Sportscenter segments so he has to tell me when they come on.

10. I grew up as a tomboy

My mom told me I used to wear dresses all the time when I was younger. Then my brother came around and that stopped right away. From then until now, I live in t-shirts and athletic shorts.

11. I don't have anyone to complain to

I can't complain to my brother about anything because he would never listen and doesn't care whatsoever.

12. He refuses pictures

Trying to get my brother to take a picture of me is like pulling teeth. We do have some, but not as many as I would like.

13. I have someone to play games with

He's always down for a game of ping pong or Halo. If not, I always seem to convince him to play with me.

14. He's always ready to argue

We argue a little too much but mostly it's joking and he'll do anything to set me off. And he'll never let me win an argument.

15. He can't do my makeup or hair.

HA. But, I can do his hair...

16. He's the reason for my love of country music

You can blame my brother for my love of country music because he's the one who made me listen to it all the time.

17. He mows the lawn

He mows the lawn for a living right now, so he's in charge of mowing the lawn at the house. So my dad will (hopefully) never ask me to mow again.

18. He taught me how to defend myself.

He's put me in countless headlocks, tried to punch me and beat me up. After years of him swinging on me, I know how to stop it and defend myself.

19. We have to share.

No, we don't share clothes or hair product. But we are forced to share leftover food my parents bring home from restaurants and I seem to always lose that battle.