Aunts, uncles, distant relatives. Cousins, nieces, nephews.

In school I was taught that it’s cliché and informal to start an article or essay with a question, but something I have been asking myself this weekend is what these words mean to me. Aunts, uncles, distant relatives. Cousins, nieces, nephews. How important are they?

I know the feel-good answer to this is they are important, and I would like to say it comes to mind often how amazing they are, but it doesn't. They are very, very important. However, my age and lack of seeing them regularly has made me realize that this isn't something that comes to mind often. I don't think about it as much as I should.

I have a cousin. She’s the reason we all came together this weekend, as she is a graduating senior for the 2017 class at her high school.

Her wonderful parents, my aunt and uncle, planned an awesome grad party for her and invited us along with a lot of my other relatives. I was so incredibly happy to see them and both of my cousins after so long. The last time I saw my cousin (the graduating one), she was a sophomore, if that says anything about how long it's been.

The other relatives were composed of 4 people, two aunts and two uncles, two of the four I hadn't seen in about 2.5 years.

I had so much fun. We played cornhole and talked, and we had a great time being reunited after such a long time. This party made the 10 hour trip here from Florida more than worth it.

These people bring out the best in me. They make me smile and laugh and I love being with them, and none of them knows how much they mean to me. I wish I had more time or more words to let them know.

After this day, I'll never forget this time i’ve had with them. The smiles and laughs they’ve brought out are priceless. There are bittersweet hugs that signify our parting, while in the back of our minds we know we’ll be back together soon enough.

To my aunts and uncles and cousins who read this, thank you. Thank you for putting this together and for bringing the whole family together. Thank you for being there for me in every way possible, whenever I need you, even states away.

Lastly, to the grad, (you know who you are),

I can't believe how far you’ve come since we saw each other last. I’m so incredibly proud of the beautiful, kind, compassionate person you’ve become. You are capable of so many things that you are unaware of, and you have one of the best support systems around. Thank you for being such an inspiration to me and to others, and never be afraid to follow your dreams, no matter where they take you. Good luck in college, and even though we aren't close as far as cousins go, know that I love you and care about you and I'm very very proud to know someone as amazing as you are.