In honor of National Cousins Day I write this post. My brothers and I have 23 first cousins, and more second cousins than I’m willing to count at the present. Family events were such fun because you were guaranteed to have friends and playmates there. I am among the older half of cousins on both sides of my family, and as I grew, new cousins were added to the mix. With cousins you can be silly, and get yelled at by parents, aunts and uncles, and it all seems right. My cousins were my first friends, and the newer additions were really my first students as I attempted to teach, boss, help, and mother them. Our familiarity seems almost instant at family events now. The bonds are there and will continue to be there. Love and hugs to all the cousins out there, especially mine.