Barack Obama and Joe Biden’s Great American Bromance

A decade ago, it didn’t look like Barack Obama and Joseph Biden had all that much in common. Two men from different generations. One a longtime Washington hand; the other a relatively new arrival to politics. Then in 2007, they became actual rivals during a rough Democratic Presidential primary. But fast forward to the end of the Obama presidency and they’ve developed a strong partnership. And that, as Vice President Biden might say, is a big deal. The duo has shared milestones both big and small, from winning two presidential elections to sharing a pair of matching friendship bracelets that nearly broke the Internet. Whether they’re talking shop in the Oval Office or golfing together on the White House lawn, Obama and Biden share a heartwarming rapport. So as Obama helps Biden prepare to celebrate his birthday on Nov. 20, TIME looks back at some of the pair’s most magical moments together. —Cady Lang

Pete Souza—The White House

Pete Souza—The White House

Pete Souza—The White House

Pete Souza—The White House

Pete Souza—The White House

Patrick Smith—Getty Images

Pete Souza—The White House

Charles Dharapak—AP

Pete Souza—The White House

Pete Souza—The White House

Saul Loeb—AFP/Getty Images

Joe Raedle—Getty Images

Saul Loeb—AFP/Getty Images

Saul Loeb—AFP/Getty Images

Pete Souza—The White House

Nov. 16, 2016

Chelsea Matiash, who edited this photo essay, is TIME’s Deputy Multimedia Editor.