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A quick word: I realize my last few posts have been rather heavy. Lent makes me more solemn and contemplative. This is a good! It means I am examining my faith and myself as a person. Every day won’t be like that, but some days will. Just FYI!

I know the quality isn't great, it was scanned. But this is almost all of the grandkids on my Mom's side. There are only four missing. This was probably Thanksgiving 1996 or 1997? Maybe 1998?

When I was growing up, I had a ton of cousins my age. We had so much fun together and I loved it.

My cousins were my first friends. They loved me for who I was in all my “awkward, questionable hair, mismatched clothing” glory. They taught me about life. Literally! My cousin Matthew was the first person to explain to me the “birds and the bees.”

They also teased me mercilessly, left me out, and made me cry on purpose. They taught me how to stand up for myself, how to laugh when I would rather have cried, and how to entertain myself when necessary. They gave me skills that I would use for the rest of my life.

Though most of us are now separated by distance, good old fashioned family drama, and even death, I am beyond grateful for an amazing childhood because of them.

The summer before Michael and I got married, my sister floored us when she told us she was going to have another baby. Sawyer arrived three months before our wedding. He was perfect in every way and we fell in love with him as if he were our own. I was so excited that Sawyer might be close enough in age to our future babies that they could grow up together and be friends.

Sawyer was 22 months when Lucas was born. The age gap at the time seemed too huge for them to ever be close. But as they grew, we all realized they’d most definitely be pals. As the years have gone by, the gap has slowly closed. The bigger Lucas gets, the better friends the boys become.

Yes! This is my 6 week old son being pulled in the tractor by his cousin. December 2008: We should have known then!

Sawyer has a feisty spirit and a mind of his own. I know he will be a great buddy for Lucas to have. But I also know that he will teach Lucas many skills that will carry him through life. Lucas will absolutely have to learn how to stand up for himself. He’s going to have to deal with the curve balls Sawyer throws at him. He’s going to have to develop some thicker skin.

The boys this past summer at the lake!

But Lucas is fiercely independent and stubborn, too. I have no doubt he’ll teach Sawyer a thing or two, himself.

What worries me most is the trouble they are going to get into (Ahem, already get into)! At age 5 and age 3, they already wear my sister and me out. They fight like brothers, but they love each other like brothers, too. Sawyer is “bigger” and older and “wiser.” He likes to boss Lucas around. He likes to be in control. For the most part Lucas follows along, but he’s been known to hold his ground.

There are times when I want to swoop in and protect my baby cub, but then I think back on my own childhood experiences. Without my cousins, I would not be the person I am today. Their friendship taught me to love myself for exactly who I am. When they teased, and bossed, and excluded, they taught me how to handle myself in tough situations and prepared me for the cruel world.

I don’t want to deny Lucas those learning experiences so I often back off and let the boys work it out (though I intervene when necessary). I know first hand that the bond of cousins runs deep and my heart is so happy that my children get to experience it, too. I can’t wait to watch in unfold for them!

Were you blessed with cousins (or siblings) like that?

Life happens when we celebrate our family!

*Lucas is also blessed to have cousins on his Daddy’s side that are close to him in age. They don’t live here in town right now, but we look forward to the day that they do. Hint, Hint!

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