I grew up in a small town where my immediate family all lived within 20 minutes of each other. I spent a lot of time with my cousins, who were close in age to me. We even got mistaken for siblings in school a lot. Though we had some other cousins who lived further away, we choose to stick together. We'd play together, eat the same food, wear each other's clothes, and get in all kinds of trouble together. I had many friends outside of my family, but no one understands me quite like my cousins.

Now that I'm older, and the second-eldest in my family, I feel like I can act as a mentor, as well as a friend, to my younger cousins. I've offered relationship advice and I've helped with countless homework assignments. And I've driven countless miles, whether back and forth from McDonald's, or to help my cousins in their time of need. They've always done the same for me. There is an unshakable bond between us. Maybe it's because we're family on top of being such great friends.

Whatever the circumstances, I can count on my cousins to be there for me the minute I need them. They've helped me out of hard places, and they've celebrated the good times with me too. My cousins have shared my heartbreak, loss, and happiness. We can laugh and cry together. We'll cause trouble and clean up the messes afterward. I've already promised my cousins prominent places in my future wedding, named book characters after them, and I'll even help one through college next year, as he joins me at my university.

To my cousins, you know who you are and I love you.