So, I've kind of had this friend that is very dear to me and we've known each other for many years. Actually, he's more like a very good friend. Someone I have looked up to for many years, considered my best above all friends and love with all my heart. Yea, we poke fun at each other and call each names and constantly try to outdo one another (I always win!), but I wouldn't give him up for the world. Our family sees us as cousins, but I see him as an older brother.

Whenever I refer to him, I call him my older brother because that's what he's like to me. True, I have an actual older brother, but a long list of events has led to me not being able to contact him. I have not spoken to my real brother in over 10 years. Yet, during all that time, I still had my cousin and I never once felt like I was really missing out. Sure, ti sounds awful, but if I sat down and explained it, it would make sense. My cousin is the reason I feel like that void has been filled and I am proud to call him a brother at heart, even though it probably annoys him half to death. I love him, what more does he want in life?

Literally, we have known each other for as long as I have been alive. Being exactly eleven months apart, we were the closest cousins, regarding age. We clicked when we were very young; he threw plastic food at me, I hit him, we screamed at each other, we sat in comfortable silence while our other cousins ran around us. The only time this didn't happen was our one and only fight where I stole the remote and he didn't talk to me for an hour. He got over it and we watched, probably, Dora or something.

At Christmas at Grandma's house, we were the ones sitting next to each other and opening presents. We sat by one another at Thanksgiving and stole each other's food. Whenever I would visit Grandma's house, he would come over and build forts with me. We took up the entire front room with blankets and pillows, building the greatest forts ever. We would sleep there, laugh there, share stories, pull all-nighters, and play DS. In those moments, it was just us. No one else and nothing existed and we didn't care.

Growing up, we never lost that connection. Granted, our conversations became more not age appropriate, tee-hee, but we still had fun together. We made time for each other, texted each other, I would call him and he would have no choice, but to answer. We trusted each other with our opinions and views on the world and never belittled each other for them. If anything, it gave us a moment to realize how much we've grown up and how how we did it together.

To be fair, though, we act more like siblings than anything. One twenty-eight hour car ride revealed this when I annoyed the crap out of him, but we still had fun. I had the option to take one friend to DisneyWorld and I chose him in a heartbeat and it was an incredible time. My fondest memories often include him and I wouldn't have it any other way. Actually, I'm sure I have become the person I am today because of him, a least somewhat, and he has been and will always be a huge part of my life.

I've said numerous times how one of my biggest fears is losing him for any reason and I'm happy to know that even the stresses of college haven't separated us or killed what relationship we have established. Granted, I'm more cheesy than he'll ever be, but he humors me and that's all I can ask for. I wish him nothing, but the best and I want us to remain this way for as long as we live. But I have to live longer cause our bet states I get his laptop if I win.

That being said, I wish you a happy birthday, dearest cousin-brother-person-guy, and I thank you for putting up with me for so long. Whatever happens to us after college and we go off into our different careers, just know how much you mean to me and how much I appreciate you for just being in my life. Feel free to be embarrassed by me, it's what I do best. Love you dearly!