I am the oldest of 17 (soon to be 18) grandchildren, and I can't think of a better position to be in than that. In my last 20 years of life, I have complained countless times about "being the oldest" and all the "horrible" things that come with it. But also in my 20 years, I have realized that my favorite responsibility is the position I hold as oldest cousin. Here are a few reasons why I wouldn't change it for the world:
1. You would much rather hang out with them then go to a party.
My cousins truly are some of my best friends. They can annoy me to no end, but then turn right around and have me laughing so hard I want to puke. A lot of the time, I would much rather spend a night in, curled up in blankets and pajamas watching "Shrek," "Haunted Mansion," or "Harry Potter." They are my favorite kind of Friday night.
2. They make you feel like a little kid again.
The best part about having younger cousins: you can play all those games you loved when you were eight years old and not feel any shame. Hide-and-go-seek tag will always be a fun game, no matter how old you are.
3. If you're the oldest, you're the first to do everything in the family, so you better do it right.
This is one of the pressures I have as the oldest is the "first-burden," as I like to call it. But really, it's less of a burden than it is just exciting. You are the first grandchild, the first niece or nephew, and so you're being sent off to college by not only your parents, but your aunts and uncles and grandparents and all those that claim you as their own. It is a scary thing, to not have anyone that can relate with what you're going through when you leave for college, but it is also so cool to get those texts from your aunts and uncles with a picture of your cousins telling you how much they miss you. And I know that I will totally be repaid when my cousins start to graduate from their high schools, and they will come to me to talk. I can't wait to share my experience and swap stories with them.
4. You are happiest when you are with them.
When I was applying for colleges, one of the essays that I had to write was the question "Describe a place where you are at your happiest" Normally, I am horrible at answering questions like that, simply because I don't pay that much attention. But when I read this question, it only took me a few minutes to figure out my answer.
I am happiest when I am at my grandparent's house during the week after Christmas. Every single one of my cousins, aunts, uncles, parents, grandparents, and siblings are together under one roof for a couple days out of the whole year, and I couldn't be happier. It is just like one big sleepover for four days, filled with movies, hot chocolate, and redneck sledding. There is absolutely no place I'd rather be.
5. You know that they will always be there because their priorities are family, too.
If you are worried that I have an unusual obsession with my cousins, you might be right, but I know that they feel the same way, too. My siblings and I are always giddy with excitement days before we get to see our cousins. My cousins and I keep in touch through the wonderful use of technology, where conversations are normally filled with "I love you" and "I miss you" and hundreds upon hundreds of heart emojis. I know that they will always be there for because not only are they my best friends, but I think I might be one of theirs too.
6. When your uncles say "I'd bet you'd rather be somewhere else right now," the answer is actually no, I don't.
You know when you reach that great old age of about 13, your family starts to joke with you about countless things, mainly parties and boys. It is a great feeling when my uncles say "You probably wish you were with your friends right now!" and I can tell them that no, I actually don't. I am perfectly content right here. Yes, I do like hanging out with you and the rest of the family (contrary to popular belief).
7. They are some of the only people that truly know how weird you are.
Honestly, I feel bad for my family sometimes. They are the majority of the people who actually see me at my weirdest. If you're like me, you have been silently denying your weirdness for the majority of your life. But you can't do that anymore because your cousins have seen too much of it. You better keep them around, because they know far too much...
8. You and your cousins are like a cult.
We are bonded by blood, inside jokes, embarrassing family moments, and love. And I gotta say, it's tough to break through that.
9. Everything is made fun when you are all together.
Awkward, extended family parties—dread no more. As long as you've got some cousins with you, you will have all the fun in the world making fools of yourselves in front of those third cousins you see once a year.
10. The power of technology keeps the bond strong, no matter how long you go without seeing them.
Snapchat, FaceTime, and text have never come in handier. When you get to hang out with a couple of your cousins, you make sure to FaceTime all the others so that you can all be reunited, even if it is for a few digital minutes.
11. It is the first long-distance relationship you've ever had.
I have never had a romantic LDR, but what I do have is a long-distance relationship with my cousins all the time. To be honest, it just sucks. But, for those countless months that you're not together, the days you get to see each other make up for it, and it's like nothing ever happened. You pick up right where you left off, causing the same shenanigans you were last time you were together.
12. The best part—having your cousins look up to you.
As the oldest, I have a responsibility to be the best that I can for my cousins. I know that they look up to me, and so I have that added responsibility there. They make me want to be a better person because of who they are. I feel so much pride when my cousins win awards, or get a good grade on a test. They make me so proud! And even though the pressure of being constantly looked at comes with its trials, I wouldn't want it to be any way else.
This article is dedicated to my favorite people in the world,
Connor, Noah, Luc, Dylan, Libby, Delaney, Brady, Lauren, Owen, Ceci, Kate, Reese, Jack, Anna, McGuire, Peyton, and Baby #15 :) I love you!
