Cousins are our first best friends. Although sometimes we take them for granted and don't always see them eye to eye, they are always there. Whether it's reminiscing on stories about your witty grandparents or laughing about the time you all traveled to Disney World together and got into a fight in the middle of Magic Kingdom, the memories and stories are endless. As the saying goes, "Cousins by chance, friends by choice."
Here are 11 reasons why cousins truly make the best of friends.
1. You do things with them because you choose to.
How about the time we were the oldest teenagers to be sitting in floor seats when Justin Bieber was just becoming a star? Or how about the time we went on a six hour road trip, just to be smushed in the tiny trunk seats together? Hanging out with your cousins comes at ease, especially when your friend group isn't around or isn't always there. They are friends to test the waters with, friends to go shopping with, or just someone to talk to.
2. They're not going anywhere.
Even if you get in a fight, they'll still be your cousin. You end up forgetting about the fights you have over text or in person and ignore it ever happened. You might bicker like siblings, but you love like family. Cousins are always your cousins no matter what.
3. You can be sarcastic together.
And there's really no offense taken.
4. Only you and your cousins can truly understand stories about how funny your grandparents are.
This is a no-brainer. Plenty of people have a special relationship with their grandparents, and together, cousins are the only ones who can share what they have seen and learned from the ones who started it all. Whether it's yelling at your grandmother to sit down for dinner instead of food prepping or going out to lunch with your grandfather, there is always a story to remember.
5. They make the perfect travel companions.
You can make them try new things without coming off as bossy, and you can drag them along with you even if they aren't willing to go. You have a love for taking pictures together, so taking pictures on vacation is a big deal. Even if it's not a solo trip with each other, your best photos and stories come from family trips and gatherings.
6. You can be proud of each other.
Some friends get jealous and some friends just don't care. Whether it's going on a trip or getting a new job and no matter how close you are with your cousins, they are always going to care. They might give you a "like" on Facebook or a "congratulations!" text just to give you a small token of appreciation. Cousins don't try to compete, they are simply proud of what you and your family members have accomplished, no matter the job well done. Even when your cousin does something noteworthy, you post about it on social media, too.
7. You don't have to be embarrassed about anything.
They won't judge you, but they'll be honest with you. This goes along with the squabbles. Even if you get mad at them, they are still family. This also goes along with your history. Your cousins have known you forever, so they remember all the embarrassing details you've been trying to forget about yourself. Except now, you both can joke about them.
8. Their house is like a second home.
You find yourself visiting at random times and taking up the free invitations to come for dinner.
9. You're not stuck with them 24/7.
You live far enough away from them so that you don't get sick of each other and you actually enjoy the time you have together. You don't need to be stalking each other every second of every day, because you know you'll always pick up right where you left off, whether you live ten miles apart or hundreds of miles apart.
10. When family drama arises, cousins are the first ones you text or call.
Good or bad, who else would you solve all the world's drama with?
11. You can talk about the future together.
You talk about your future wedding and future family all the time, and how your kids will get along with your cousins' kids.
