cousins

I was just reminded of one of the joys of getting older -- watching your little cousins grow up and become good friends. My cousin Amber (who I just told about this website -- Hi, Amber!) is seven years younger than me. She is the first cousin I remember being born, so I have memories of her all the way from when she was a baby. We have always been close, but in that older cousin/younger cousin kind of way. I always thought of her as a little kid and she sort of looked up to me as the bigger cousin. Over the last couple of years we have started to see eye to eye on more and more things. It always amazes me to realize that she is grown up now.

Amber was in my wedding last year, and I think that's when I began to see the person she is becoming. She was so helpful, creative and fun. We bonded in a whole new way. But life goes on, as we all know. Since spending so much time together doing wedding stuff, we've both been busy with life, work, school, etc.

I just got off the phone from talking to Amber for 45 minutes. I would have liked to talk longer, but between losing my voice from this cold and the monumental mess still waiting for me in my kitchen after yesterday's thanksgiving feast, I had to tear myself away. I talked to Amber as I would any of my close friends. We have a lot in common, and I realized how much I miss her. We left it open to talk again soon, and to stay closer in touch. And we will get to see each other on thanksgiving next week, which I am really looking forward to.

The feeling gives me an appreciation for what maybe some of my older cousins felt watching me grow up, and is just another reminder of how lucky I am to have such great family.