I am forever grateful to have been born into such an amazing and loving family. Growing up in a home with just my mom, I was extremely lucky with all of the aunts, uncles and cousins that I was blessed with. In some cases, cousins are the people you see a couple times a year, if that, at family gatherings and the occasional high school sporting event. To me, they were more like siblings.

Being the only child in a household can get pretty boring and lonely, but I never felt that way. I was always at my cousins’ houses, and I always dreaded the moment that I had to leave. From the summer weekdays when my aunt would babysit me to spending Christmas Eve at their house, they just always felt like my brothers and sisters.

As we grow older, we don’t see each other as often. I remember all of the great times that I had with them when we were younger, and I miss it. I hope, more than anything, that I stay close with them. Each of them are so important to me and I don’t know what I would do if we ever lost touch.

To my cousins: I love you all so much. I could not have asked for better people to grow up with and have as my family. I am so grateful for each and every one of you and all of the moments we’ve had together, from the family gatherings to the days that Grandma babysat us in the summer, building forts out of refrigerator boxes and playing way too much Pokémon.

You all mean so much to me. As we see each other less and less, I find myself appreciating you all even more. I hope that we never lose the bond that we have developed throughout all these years of being together. I am so happy that we are all finding our ways in life (as cheesy as that sounds), but I pray that we always remain close. You guys mean more to me than I could ever explain. Thank you for being like siblings to me.