Thing 1 & 2

17 years of a built-in best friend. But it never had to be built-in. It was just a bonus. A reason why we could go months without talking, and then share our personal trauma the next day. A reason why we never have to worry about maintaining a relationship. A reason why our friendship will last our whole lives. A reason why  we can bully the crap out of each other, and laugh our faces off.

Out of my 10 aunts and uncles, 25ish cousins, and one set of grandparents, one person had my back in particular. Whether to protect it, or hit it square with a water balloon, my cousin Santi has always been there for me, even if he might be shorter than a doorknob(he’s 5’10”). He is the thing 2 to my thing 1, and we have t-shirts to prove it - courtesy of the lovely, generous, giving Cece, who thought of the best Christmas present to ever exist.

But our relationship goes beyond ourselves. Our whole family dynamic is very open and loving, whether it be during our summers on the lake, family meals, or annual reunion. Part of what makes it so much fun is my grandma - Mary Anne, the queen of mischief. Whether it be her smuggling wedding food, her jokes, or her secret stash of squirt guns, she is the queen of a twist of entertainment at family functions, and me and my cousin happily follow suit. We have carried on her legacy in everything we do, and someday I hope that we - or at least me, I don’t know if Santi has much hope - can live up to her glory.

As much as I may bully my cousin, he is the water to my mega, extra-impact, super-soaker squirt gun. And together, we are unbeatable. Whether it be to have a good time, kick butt in a water fight, or eat the most pancakes. He is my built-in best friend, and I couldn’t be more grateful. I will always have your back, and I love you short king. Maybe one day you will become tall enough to sit in the car without a booster seat, but I doubt that day will come, and I will forever remain the taller, and better, cousin.(I’m 5’5”)

Love, Cece Polum