Cousins are special: they're part friend, part family, and the best mix of both. If you're as lucky as I am, you can't imagine life without them. Here are 18 things to thank your cousins for:

1. For never judging the dubious fashion choices that you made as a child and for loving you through frizzy hair and braces.

2. For laughing at your jokes, especially when they aren't funny.

3. For all the memories in between family gatherings and vacations.

4. For all the friendly competition to see who was your grandparents' favorite (I am).

5. For sticking together through the hard times.

6. For letting me borrow your clothes (or for all the hand-me-downs).

7. For making boring family events fun.

8. For picking right back up where you left off, and for it not being weird.

9. For understanding tradition in your family.

10. For always being a text or a phone call away.

11. For always having someone to gossip about family drama with.

12. For listening to everything and giving advice.

13. Older cousins: for giving you someone to look up to.

14. Younger cousins: for giving you someone to look down on, only to realize that it's stupid and you're all family anyway.

15. For being built in bridesmaids, babysitters, support systems, cheerleaders and friends.

16. For all the matching and embarrassing pictures that your parents made you take as little kids.

17. For always being the first to back you up or defend you.

18. For teaching you that even though you'll argue, they'll always being there as both family and friends.