1. They're like extra siblings.

For my family, my sisters, my cousin, and I are very close. There was always a shoulder to cry on, always someone to talk to about some things others wouldn't understand, and always someone to confide in at family parties.

2. You always have people to play with.

Growing up, we always played with each other. From going to the zoo, to playing at the pool, we always had someone to play with when we were kids.

3. Summers are always spent together.

Every summer, Grace would spend every day with me and my siblings at the pool. So many memories were made between us during that time. We did swim team, went to the beach, went out with our moms, and had great summers growing up.

I was lucky enough to have that time with her every day because it grew our bond to be stronger, and it definitely had an impact on how our relationship is now.

4. The holidays are always fun.

The holidays always bring the family together, and it's always been fun to see each other grow up and get gifts for each other throughout the years. My cousin loves Christmas, so we always go Christmas shopping together, which also makes the holidays fun.

5. Your cousins always there to understand.

When anything bad or upsetting happens in any of our lives, we are always there to support each other. Like I said earlier, we go through mostly the same things in life since we are the same age. It helps to have someone who can understand family drama, boy drama, or anything else.

Cousins always make things better.

6. Their mom becomes your second mom.

For both me and Grace, our moms are very close. They're sisters. Growing up, one of our moms would always be watching all of us at once, so we got close to whoever was watching us. Her mom is like my second mom and vice versa.