Just 'Cuz

Cousins are one of the greatest inventions ever. They are the ultimate hybred of siblings and best friends. They're about one or two steps removed from being your siblings, so you have the family closeness and ties with a little less arguing, but still a wonderful friendship. When you're little, you're parents don't mind it when you beat on each other like they would if you were just friends, rather than blood-relatives (I rough-housed more than  most boys when I was a kid and gave more than one of my cousins a bloody nose, while receiving my share of black eyes and bruises in return). It can be awkward to see a friend of the past again when you haven't talked or kept in touch for ages, but cousins can be attacked with bear-hugs and are easy to find conversation with quickly, even if you haven't written or talked in a year or more. They've known you since you were a little kid and know your family -they're a part of it- so they understand things about you and your personality that friends not in the family have a harder time grasping or understanding. They've seen you at your best, but they've also frequently seen you at your worst and still love you despite your faults, flaws, and things you've done that hurt them. They're basically awesome.

I love my cousins very, very much and love getting to spend time with them. I was blessed enough to get to see all three of my Michigan cousins today and enjoyed it immensely. We all might be a little bit nuts, but I have a wonderful family and wouldn't trade any one of my cousins or relatives for a rock-star or spandex-clad superhero. It is really no surprise to me that when I think of my childhood and growing up, the dominating fraction of my best memories is occupied by times when I was with my cousins, Mid-West and West-Coast.

My cousins make me happy :) Who else am I going to have contests with to see who can find the most obscure, random magizine on book isle at Meijer or burn through pairs of old loafers with while luging down a hill on a skateboard?