My childhood was pretty lonely. I didn’t grow up with a sibling. That was, until I turned ten. That’s when I realized I had a sister. We aren’t blood sisters, we’re actually cousins, but she means more to me then anything. She moved next door when I was ten and she was 11. We’re closer than ever right now, but it wasn’t always like that.

Growing up, I would rarely see my family on my dad’s side since they didn’t live near me. I remember the first day they moved in, it was pretty awkward. I didn’t know if we were going to get along since she was a little older. But when I went over to visit that day, my cousin and I bonded over the TV show iCarly. We spent the day playing games, making jokes and laughing. This is when I realized we just might get along more than I expected. That was the start of an everlasting friendship.

I’m 17 now, and my cousin and I are like sisters. From being originally hesitant to go over, I now just barge into her house like it’s my own house, sometimes, without even telling her. When I want to vent about my day or talk about my problems, I just walk over and she’s there to listen. Although sometimes she may not want to, she still finds a way to make time for me. She’s someone I can easily ask for advice, and she’ll be completely honest. I’m not reluctant to opening up to her. She’s one person in my life who I can tell everything to, and be myself around.

She is a senior this year and one day this spring, she asked me to visit Framingham State University with her, a college she applied to and was waiting to hear back from. I was really excited to go with her to explore and see a potential college she might attend. We were greeted by students and every- one was welcoming. We saw all the different buildings, talked about majors and had the chance to have a conversation with actual students. It was at the dorms where she turned to me and said “this is for me.” I could see the sense of relief on her face because the college stress was over, and I couldn’t be more proud of her.

It was mid April when my cousin Face Timed me, sharing the news that she had been accepted to FSU and had chose to dorm. She’s going to attend one of her top choices this fall. While she was sharing the news with me, she was grinning. But suddenly I realized that I didn’t share her excitement. I told her that I was happy for her, because I was, but internally I also felt really sad. I realized that although Framingham isn’t that far, it still meant that she’s not going to be next door anymore. I’m so used to driving around with her, visiting new places, and just having fun together. It’s still hitting me that we’re almost adults, and are going to have to balance all these new responsibilities we didn’t have before.

Her leaving is making me realize that I too am growing up. This is pretty overwhelming for me. I want to cherish my last year at high school because although school can be draining, I know I’m going to miss it. From the day she moved next door, to watching iCarly, to sending her off to college, I’m glad I got to experience it with my cousin before she enters a new chapter in her life. I’m currently focused on making as many memories as possible to look back on, and surrounding myself with friends and family I love the most, before I, myself, enter a new chapter as well.

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