On my 16th birthday, I received a handmade canvas, with the quote below displayed on it, from one of my cousins. I had no idea how much this quote would mean to me today. 3 years later, we are further apart because of college, but as close as ever.
"Cousins are connected heart to heart, distance and time cannot break us apart."
Here are a few reasons why I could not imagine a childhood without my cousins as my best friends...
1.They understand you.
You can talk to them about anything because they just “get” you. When everyone else doubted your college major, they knew you could conquer the world with whatever you chose. Drama with a sibling? You can vent to your cousins, because they know your sister just as well as they know you. You can talk to them about that one crazy uncle because anyone outside the family just wouldn't understand.
2. Older cousins are there to answer those ~awkward~ questions that you don't want to talk to your mom about.
You feel comfortable talking to them about anything, and they give the best advice. They are your top confidant.
3. You can be the older sister your younger cousins never had.
You work your butt off to be a good role model. You can show them hard work pays off and that no good deed goes unnoticed. There is nothing more rewarding than being looked up to. Plus, you guys are BFFs. Best combo ever.
4. I never worried about being bored because my cousins were able to come over in the drop of a dime.
It was basically known in my house that one cousin would come over sometime during the weekend. Whether the visit was unplanned or spontaneous, there wasn't a weekend when their presence was questioned. Mi casa es tu casa.
5. We have the best inside jokes that no one else will ever understand.
You can’t yell ”prune juice” at anyone and expect them to understand. Cousins are those that can.
6. You always had someone to tackle those awkward family gatherings with.
You can always plan to arrive at the same time so you aren't without each other even for a minute. Plus, when all the cousins are together, we are the life of the party.
7. They are brutally honest, because they care more than anyone.
You can send them 10 different pictures from the Target dressing room, and they will tell you right away which ones make you look hot or not. They will be the first to say if a new boy needs to hit the road because if he can’t hang with your cousins, he won’t make it in the family.
8. We all planned our futures with each other in them.
All of our road trips and adventures are with each other. Our bridesmaids are each other. Our children are going to be more like siblings than second cousins. I wouldn't want anyone else by my side when I am tackling life and its challenges.
