I’ve had the opportunity to work with my best friend, who is my cousin, for the past year. We are now at a point in our lives where we have to go separate paths which makes writing this bittersweet. Although, I think we both can agree no one does the dynamic duo better than us.
When I tell people that I work with my cousin, most of the time they are in shock. Some say “Wow! Don’t you guys get tired of each other?” Others say, “I could never work with my cousin.”
What these people don’t understand is that this situation only works when you have a special bond before working together. While there are ups and downs to working with family, I wouldn’t trade this experience for nothing.
1. You get nicknames
Your managers quickly lump you together since you’re related. Then, you get a cool nickname that sticks.
2. Inside jokes
When you work with family, you know how to make each other laugh. All it takes is for you to look at the other person and then bust out laughing. No one ever knows why the two of you are giggling, but hey, it’s an inside joke.
3. You talk work drama outside of work
The work conversations spill over into after work life. You sit around at a family dinner, and the two of you are the only ones talking about work. Everyone else thinks you’re crazy, but it’s serious business you’re discussing.
4. You have each other’s backs
You each keep an eye out for the weirdos and the creeps who try to mess with your cousin. If you hear someone talking crap about the other, you better believe you’re going to make that person sorry. No one messes with your cousin like that.
5. Sometimes you show up wearing the same shirt
Occasionally you have a cousin who is the same size as you and has the same taste in clothes. Sometimes you buy the same shirt, and you both wear it to work on the same day. You really are twins after that.
6. Constant photo-ops
Snapchat becomes filled with work pictures. You secretly take pictures of each other and of course the "bored at work selfies."
7. You start to read each other’s minds
Now, you know you have found your twin, bestie and soul sister when you start to read each other’s minds at work. You might even finish each other's sentences.
8. You kick some major butt when you work together
Oh, yeah, you work as a team and handle everything like pros. Then, you give each other that look. The look of “we are total bosses at our jobs.”
9. You don't let each other starve
An important part of working with family is that you take care of each other. Family doesn’t let each other starve. You buy each other food because you know what happens when the other gets a LITTLE “hangry.”
10. Carpool buddies
You have a carpool buddy for life. You pick each other up for work and take each other home.
11. Only you know how to cheer each other up
Once in a while, there are bad days. Luckily for her, you know just how to cheer her up.
12. There’s the occasional meltdown
Work brings stress, and stress can mean tears. There’s the occasional meltdowns, and you have to take care of each other. Then, you tell everyone to back off if they want to live because the other is upset.
13. You sometimes break out into song or dance
You bring out the best in each other and act like total goof balls. Everyone might be staring, but that’s alright. They’re just jealous because they don’t get to work with their family.
14. You like to embarrass each other
Family loves to embarrass each other. You know their most humiliating moments from when they were three years old and said all of their words funny. You always find an opportunity to tell people an embarrassing story.
15. You’re proud of each other
No matter what happens, you’re proud of each other for being amazing. You know this won’t last because you’re growing up and have to move on. You’ll always have each other though.