Pretty white dress, check. Five teal-and-watermelon matching bouquets, check. Fiancé and family-to-be, check. Bridesmaids’ group message, check. The countdown clock is slowly winding down (only 5 short months to go!) and soon you’ll ditch your last name for perhaps the most common last name in human history, behind Smith (just kidding).

This is your shining moment as the lovely bride, but it certainly won’t be the last time that all eyes are on you. You’re only 21—just think of all the amazing things you will accomplish in your life! You still have plenty of time to run for elected office, start a garage band, or travel all 50 states with just a backpack and your GPS (just kidding, again).

In all seriousness, this is the time of your life. This is the part where you put your adulting strategies to the test and build a happy home with the man of your dreams. This is the part where you custom-design doormats and pillowcases to match your newly-minted last name.

This is the part where you put a ring on it and become part of an everlasting partnership with your best friend. This is the part where we smile at you and tell you that we are very proud of the woman you’ve become.

Before you grace the altar next spring, let’s take a second to reminisce on some of my favorite moments spent with you. Although we’ve never spent more than three days together at one time, I know that you are an essential part of my life.

You’re one of my only close female cousins, and we’ve made some great memories together. I won’t import pictures in here for the sake of your dignity, but just try your best to visualize each of these moments in their full glory.

The time you didn’t have a Halloween costume for my brother’s birthday party, so your mom bought you a stereotypical ‘death bride’ costume at Walmart the day of the party. I don’t know which came first—your costume, or Lindsay Lohan’s infamous scene as Frankenstein’s ex-wife in Mean Girls. But you get the picture.

The time I went shopping at Goody’s and Payless with you, and your man friend tried on the gaudiest pair of high-heeled shoes and walked around the store like a champ. For some reason, I’ll never forget that.

The time you fell down the stairs at my old church, right before our other cousin’s wedding. It was scary but also funny, I must admit (sorry, not sorry). Special points for remembering those matching peach-flowery dresses we had to wear.

The time you forgot your sweatshirt at my house and didn’t come back for it for several months. Oh, wait—that was the hat your mom bought you at Fashion Bug. Oh, wait—that happened every single time you stayed at my house with just about every single object you could imagine.

The time I opened a surprise box from you in my dorm room last year and realized that you were getting married. I absolutely loved your bridesmaid proposal—did you steal it from Pinterest? Be honest.

We’ve walked down memory lane, so now it’s time to leave you with some final thoughts and advice. First, thank you a billion times for choosing a universally-flattering dress for us bridesmaids! You truly rock!

Second, thank you for always having my back. I’ve learned a lot from you during the years, and I’m proud to say that you are part of my family. I love you, and I’m so glad that you have found your other half. P.S. will you name one of your future children after me? Just kidding. See you on your wedding day.