They are nasty and annoying and more than once in life you wished them gone. But then they are golden and the best thing that accompanied you in life since you can remember. Obviously, I'm talking about our younger siblings. This week is my little brother's birthday so it got me thinking…

I still remember our countless fights, tears and bruises but I also remember the best vacations, pranks and stories ever. Especially younger siblings can simply drive you crazy but they are also the people that you couldn't imagine to not have in your life. Before I wish you a Happy Birthday, little brother, here are a few things that have to be mentioned.

1. They get everything earlier

Yeah, how is that possible? Being the first-born is tough. Your parents keep an eye on everything and are super strict and have tons of rules. But what happens with our younger siblings? Sure they can have their first mobile phone a couple of years earlier than you did, and sure they don't have to wait as long as you did to go to their first party. Somehow the same strict rules that applied to you don't apply for them and it is just unfair.

2. They take your stuff…

…and often don't give it back. So true. They just walk in your room as if there was a sign in front of it "Everything for free". Wondering why you don't have any free time? You're hunting down your stuff once you realize it's missing.

3. They leave their stuff in your room

Is that the exchange for the taken items? I honestly don't know. What I know is that my brother constantly leaves things behind. Whether it's a sweater, his college homework or even his stinky socks (it's a fact, it happened this weekend), somehow it finds its way in the corners of my room for me to clean up afterwards.

4. They copy everything you do

Little siblings copy everything they can, whether it's the things you do, the places you visit or the things you say. It's soooo annoying but somehow you also love it because they do it so that they can be more like you.

5. They need you to be a teacher

Being a big sister means to be a role model and responsible adviser. However, being a good influence while trying to find my own way has never been easy. To be honest, I sometimes wonder if I've been a good influence at all. Because another fact about big sisters is that we often mess up. And that I did know how to do quite well.

6. They test your patience

And they like to do it every single day. Why is it that younger siblings want to spend time with you always when you are doing different things? Why don't they understand anything you say when you say it the first time but need you to repeat it three times? And why are they so stubborn and want to test your stubbornness?

7. They force you to put on a mask…

…and they don't even know about it. Being a big sister means trying as hard as you can to be perfect and pretend to be strong because you don't want your younger sibling to see your flaws and be disappointed. Nevertheless, they'll find out your flaws and you'll disappoint them anyways, whether you want it or not. You end up being even more upset about hurting them than you realized you could be. In those moments you feel how much you actually love them.

8. They are the most annoying people

For real! I mean if you follow this article you know what I'm talking about. The worst thing is that you have to deal with their annoying characters until they finally grow up. That's a long time during which you sometimes simply want to strangle them. But then suddenly you are dying of laughter because of a funny face they made and everything is forgotten.

9. They are the best thing ever

Despite it's up and downs, having younger siblings is something that I would not trade for the world. They are fun, they are the best partner in crime and always in for any adventure you can imagine. Although there were times when we were fighting, having my little brother made me to the person I am today.

And then suddenly you realize how they grew up and that they aren't little anymore, which leaves you absolutely terrified. Little brother, you exceed me by more than a head by now, you are a successful student and we're having grown-up conversations. I'm proud of you and I'm grateful for having you by my side since almost ever. I'm telling you, the first two years of my life without you were so boring. And although we're older, I love that we can still turn off the grown-upness and pull out some of that sibling craziness that hopefully will never go away. Happy birthday!