Dear Older Cousins,
You know me as your baby (but not so baby) cousin. Growing up, I found myself stuck in the middle between the "little" kids and the older kids at family parties. I felt so young compared to you because I always seemed to be a step behind you. When I was in elementary school, most of you were finishing middle school. When I was in high school, most of you were graduating college. It was hard keeping up. But when I look back on my childhood memories of you, they are some of the best.
Thank you for letting me listen in to your "big kid" conversations. At family get-togethers, you'd all sprawl out in Nonna's living room and invite me to come with you. I'd smile ear to ear and politely sit on the floor and listen to your chatter. You'd talk about everything I couldn't wait to experience myself. Sweet 16, prom, driving, college, roommates, relationships, jobs, owning apartments. The list goes on and on and continues to increase as we get older. You are some of the funniest and best storytellers I know. Your conversations entertained me for hours (and saved me from being placed at the "kids table" at dinner).
Thank you for the hand-me-downs. It was almost like Christmas when I received a big trash bag full of clothes from you. I'd sort through the dozens of things that you outgrew and thought I'd like. Wearing the clothes from my cool cousins made me feel so cool. I'd keep them and put the outfits on repeat until they tore or I grew out of them.
Thank you for having fun with me. You never had that "too cool for school" attitude about anything I liked, even though I was many years behind you. "High School Musical" was my favorite movie for probably four years straight, and it was yours too. We all could recite every word to the movie, not just the lyrics to the songs. We even choreographed a dance routine to "We're all in this Together" at Christmas back in '07 (video proof on Facebook in case you forgot!). Thank you for loving One Direction, Disney, and Zac Efron as much as I did as I entered my tween years.
Thank you for being the best role models. Seriously, you guys are the coolest people I know. I couldn't wait to grow up and be just like you when I was little. As the oldest of four, I always had you to look up to and learn from. Now I'm in college and finally living all the experiences I only ever heard of in Nonna's living room at the family parties. The best part is, I have all of you to go to for advice if I encounter any bumps along the way because you've all been there and done that. Although we may not all see each other as often anymore with our busy schedules, you still have such a huge impact on my life and have become some of the best friends I will ever have.
Love always,
Your Baby (But Not so Baby) Cousin Rach
XOXO
