To my cousins in the new year,

I am writing this mostly because I am horrible at verbal words. I think we all know that. I think the last time I told you all how much I actually care was last Christmas, but also because I am realizing how fast time is actually going by. It’s as if I blinked, and 10 years flew by. As we grow older and move in our own directions, I have a few things I wanted to make sure you know.

First, and foremost, I am incredibly grateful for all of you. I grew up with some of the best people I could have ever imagined. We have been through a lot as a family, and I firmly believe that I could not have made it through my life without you. You are all such wonderful individuals, and I have had the best 19 years of my life with you. From playing Power Rangers in the church as kids to being grown and never being able to take good pictures. Even at Danielle and Branden’s wedding. I cherish every single slightly unorganized memory. I also want to tell you that I have learned more than I could have ever imagined from you. You all have taught me lessons on strength, courage, finding humor in hard times, being myself, and countless other things. I don’t think you realize just how incredible it was to be able to learn with and from you without even realizing that was the case.

In this coming year, I hope that we only grow closer and continue to support each other in the way we always have despite the distance and time between us. I also hope to continue to learn and grow with you, go to family Sky Zone dates, and take horrible family photos every single holiday. I know sometimes we argue and we post embarrassing things on the internet, and we send obnoxious Snapchats (I’m looking at you, Tony and Christian).

To be quite frank, there have been times when I was pretty certain that I wanted to push all of you onto a deserted island and leave you there, but I also know I would miss you more than I would like to admit. I hope that things between us never change because I will always need all of you in my life. I will always be grateful for the tribe of beautiful individuals I was blessed with. Continue to be your weird selves and embrace the organized chaos that is our family. Know that I will always be here to provide you the sass you never knew you needed, but with a lot of love behind all of it. I am not even sure you all will even read this, but in the off chance you do, I love all of you unconditionally.

Here's to you, my forever friends.

I love you always.

Lexi