Cousins are essential parts of our lives, especially when they are both close in age and distance to us. Luckily for me, my cousins come together to form an incredibly tight-knit group. I look up to each and every one of them, whether they are older or younger than I am.

The cousins who are closest in age to us generally become like siblings. In that sense, they know everything about us and the quirks of our family, and we know that we will always be able to count on one another. In addition to being like siblings, cousins have the potential to become lifelong best friends. As young children, they are your built-in partners in crime in the absurdities of games and other pastimes that bring you together. Family gatherings, spontaneous get-togethers, and even quick-run ins at the store are only some of the joyous moments that you share with your cousins.

Most people simply consider cousins as the people who we are forced to spend time with a few times a year-on Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, and maybe for a birthday. It is in my own experience that I refute this common misconception. I believe instead that the blood relation between you and your cousins creates an incredible opportunity to form close bonds with people who are merely a part of our lives by chance. Cousins have the potential to be the greatest kind of best friend, as I have discovered myself.

My cousin Julianna is the closest in age to me, and I continue to feel overwhelmed with gratitude that we are best friends. Her unwavering love and support show that she is truly always there for me and that she knows me unlike anyone else. Her wisdom goes well beyond her years, and often it seems easy to forget the fact that she is two years younger than me. Her ability to hone in on what is important and block out any negativity is admirable and even mind-blowing.

Throughout my life, Julianna (as well as all of my other cousins) has been there for me. The trials and tribulations that life throws at us-whether we are both directly impacted, or only one of us endures the challenge-reaffirm our connection. I can always rely on her to give me advice, to make me laugh and cheer me up, or to even simply be there for me.

To Julianna: your friendship (and cousinship) is a blessing in my life. You are resilient, confident, intelligent, talented, genuine, strong, and above all else true to yourself. As many people succumb to the pressures and ideas the suffocate society, especially in this age and generation, you fight to preserve a light within the world. You are raw-you are honest, bold, and incredibly steadfast. In each person you reach out to, every small act of kindness you do-whether it be in babysitting a friend's daughter or caring for the well being of those around you-you make the world a brighter and more hopeful place. You lift me up when I struggle, as I would gladly do the same for you.

It never ceases to amaze me that God blessed me with a built-in best friend in my cousin. While most people search for a lifetime to find someone as genuine, loyal, compassionate, and perfectly in sync with them as you are with me, I lucked out in having you as my cousin. You are one of the most beautiful people that I know, and the fact you are not only my best friend, but that I am related to you, makes me feel like one of the most fortunate people in the world. Your love and compassion are a light in our family and in our community, but especially in my life. I don't know what I would do without your guidance, laughter, resilience, and wisdom.