For all the cousins that helped me be the person I am today,
Every one of my cousins, whether on my dad's or mom's side, is just like another sibling for me. Every one of you has in one way or another taught me how to be the person I am today by setting examples, some of which may not of been the best, but still used it as a teaching moment.
You taught me that no matter what, family will always come first, and sometimes family is all you need to be happy. Sure, there may be a huge age gap between some us and some of us are only days apart, but it's the age difference that makes it great. I watched you graduate high school, and in a year, you'll watch me do the exact same. I'm watching you get married and start your families, and I know that some day, I'll do the same and have you to ask advice about the things I'll go through and that you've been through.
The geographical distance between us doesn't change how we get along with each other. It doesn't matter how long it's been since we've seen each other, we automatically click whenever we're around each other. It could be two or five years and we'll pick up conversation like we just saw each other the other day. You will still mess up my hair after I spent 30 minutes trying to make it look perfect. I'll take your spot as soon as you get up to get food. You'll tell me to be careful and watch for deer around a certain hill at night because you know that's where they will all be. You'll try as hard as you can to convince me that a certain college would be a better choice because it would mean I'm only two blocks down the road from you. You may not know it but everyone of these things are reasons that all you are some of the best.
It's weird to think that ten years ago most of you were in high school and getting ready to graduate, and I remember thinking that I couldn't wait for that to be me one day. That day is closer then we think; now I'm the one that's soon going to be walking across the stage and getting my diploma, and your kids will be ones wishing for the day they could do the same.
When I came to visit for the holidays, someone mentioned that didn't seem real that another cousin and I were already 17, and it doesn't. She'll graduate in May, and I'll follow in a year; since we're 10 months apart, she's a grade above me. And you were right, it didn't seem too long along that some of you were taking ACT's and trying to figure out exactly what you wanted to study and major in during college. Now that pressure is on her and I, but you are all so supportive of what we chose and how we chose.
While I watch some of you get married, start your own family, or try to figure out where exactly you belong, I realize that someday that will be me, and I'll need you. I'll need someone to tell me what was going through their head when they left for college, I'll need someone to ask advice for when I'm living on my own because I know some of you have been there or are there now.
I guess this is the up-side to being one of the youngest in our huge family. I see you live your life and see the choices you made and the consequences, whether good or bad, that come with your choices. You've set examples for me and tried to make the best choices because you know I'm watching, and I'll try to do the same for your kids because I know what it's like when everyone is older, and you're the kid that looks up to everyone around you.
Another up-side to our huge family is that there are so many of us cousins. I have nearly 25 of you, and I can go to any of you and know that you're not going to judge me for any choice I may make. You all have different personalities. I know the ones I can go to if I just want to kick back and relax or the ones that will take me out for pizza whenever I say that it sounds good for dinner. I know the ones I can go to if I'm having a hard time with something or the ones who will jump in the car with me because I said I wanted to go on a vaca for the weekend.
Every one of you has helped shaped me into the person I am today because I see a characteristic in each of you that I admire, and I've work as hard as I can to get that trait because it's part of who I want to be as a person.
Words can't thank you enough for being the greatest family a person could've ask for.
Love,
Your favorite little cousin
