As I look back on my childhood and reminisce on the times spent with my cousins, I can’t help but smile. All of my cousins mean the world to me. Family gatherings are always a great time because of their presence and the close-knit relationship that all of us share. I thank God every day for blessing me with such a beautiful family, for providing me with such beautiful individuals who I call my cousins, and, most importantly, for giving me a cousin who has turned into my absolute best friend in the world…someone who I cannot picture living without.

I believe that there is truly nothing that compares to the bond that I have with my cousin-turned-BFF. We share a relationship that can never be broken, a relationship that will undoubtedly endure forever. Growing up by each other’s sides and always being there for one another along the way has had a tremendous impact—a positive impact that has made our relationship unbreakable.

We cry together, we laugh together, we fight, we depend on each other for advice at our worst moments. Your problems are my problems; my problems are your problems. Your enemies are my enemies; your friends are my friends. You make fun of me, I make fun of you. We care for each other, we adore each other, and we will love each other until the end of time.

It is so nice having you in my life, not only because you bring me happiness and endless laughter, but because you have allowed me to gain a new perspective on life and all that it has to offer. You have proved to me that family will always be the most significant aspect of life, that the combination of friendship and family is so powerful, and that we will never leave each other’s sides—you have my back and I have yours. We trust each other, we believe in each other, we are confident in each other.

We always joke around and tell each other that we really don’t have a choice…that we have to like each other because we share flesh and blood. We laugh as we say that we’re stuck with each other, that we’re trapped. But, I have to admit, I am so thankful to be stuck with you. You are just so much fun to be around because you make life interesting with your silliness, and you are always up for new adventures. Time spent with you is time well spent.

I want to take this opportunity to thank you for everything. Thank you for being my partner in crime and my sidekick. Thank you for understanding me and for loving me unconditionally. I honestly don’t know what I would do without you in my life. You are so special to me and I will cherish the relationship that we share forever and always. You complete me, and I love you for that. I am just too lucky to have you.

“Friends are forever, but cousins are for life…”