5 Reasons Why Cousins Are Your Forever Friends

I am an only child, but my dad is one of four, and my mom is one of three. Growing up, I lived within an hour of all my aunts, uncles, and cousins.

With no brothers or sisters of my own, my cousins were my siblings.

Watching my own children with their cousins and seeing the special bond they have, makes me reflect on why cousins are priceless.

1) Cousin Crew is a real thing!

When a new cousin is born, they are automatically a member of an inclusive crew. They have built-in friends and protectors from day one, and that bond gets stronger as the years pass. My boys and their cousin crews are spread out all over the country, but the moment they get together, they jump right back into playing without missing a beat.

 

2) The kids’ table at Thanksgiving is fun when you get to share it with your cousins!

Holidays are just better with cousins. Children are making memories that are shared and laughed about for years and years. As adults, we spend holidays reflecting on those shared memories while cooking and creating new family experiences together.

The expectation of holidays with cousins is a comfort that returns year after year.

3) Cousins make the best friends!

You can trust your cousins to be only a phone call or text away.

Saw a funny meme? Send it & laugh with them. Need to vent? Call them, they’ll answer.
When they post on social media that they had a bad day? You are the first to check in.

And when you find old family pictures? You will laugh until you cry or cry until you laugh. These are friendships that don’t fade away.

4) Vacations + Cousins = Perfect Combo!

Most of the time, it is pretty awesome to have built-in friends during vacation, but just like with a brother or sister, tension can erupt.

I remember a time when my younger cousin got a hairbrush tangled in my hair while we played beauty parlor in the hotel room. We all started fighting about it, including my aunt and my dad. Now, it is just one of those “oh my gosh” memories we share during our Thanksgiving gatherings. The irony with that incident is that my cousin grew up to become a hairstylist and owns her own salon. She is fantastic and is no longer getting brushes tangled up.

This year we have an upcoming vacation with one of the cousin crews on my husband’s side, and I know the experience will create lifelong memories for my boys and maybe even one or two “oh my gosh” moments.

5) Family Traditions!

While some family traditions like our secret family tamale recipe and our crawfish boils for Easter have continued among the cousins year over year, we have also started creating new ones that we cherish as well.

In our family, some of the grown-up cousins bring the next generation of cousins together the weekend before Christmas for a holiday breakfast and gift-giving. Unfortunately, as our families have expanded and some of us have moved further away from each other, our get-togethers have not always been spent with each other.

As for those cousins that I do not have the chance to see as often as when we were kids, I’m comforted knowing when they plan their holiday meals; they are making some of the same recipes and continuing some of the same customs we are in our home which keeps us connected through our memories and our traditions.

Kate Hendrickson
Originally from the New Orleans area, Kate moved to Pensacola via Los Angeles in 2007 with her husband, Nick, after they fell in love with downtown & the beautiful beaches. They currently reside in Gulf Breeze with their two sons, Walker & Blaine, and their Maltese, Jojo. Professionally, Kate works in healthcare consulting specializing as an advisor for software clients. Personally, she stays busy with the school PTO, supporting her oldest son at his golf tournaments, and chasing after her adventurous toddler. Kate’s love for New Orleans is celebrated as a member of two Pensacola Mardi Gras Krewes. On the weekends you will find her cooking out with friends, trying new wines, and enjoying pool time with her boys.

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