So, I haven’t posted a ton of personal posts on this blog, but I think now is the perfect time to start. My cousin, Lauren, graduated from Mizzou (with honors!) this past Saturday and I couldn’t be more proud.

Lauren’s grown into the most intelligent, beautiful and amazing person. She works so hard and is so compassionate to every person she meets. A whole battalion of supporters arrived at Mizzou on Saturday just to cheer her on and she definitely deserves it.

I do have to say, “cousin” may be a disingenuous term for Lauren and my relationship. When we were little, we spent ALL our time together. Our mom’s were sisters and best friends and they both had us at a young age, so we were sisters and best friends. We played barbies for hours (even when I didn’t want to) and Lauren watched me play Nancy Drew video games for hours (even when she didn’t want to). We went on vacations with our grandparents and I teased her like a big sister does (if you see Lauren, ask her about sitting in the sun).

But, when I started college and Lauren started high school, we drifted apart. It was hard staying close when we were in such different places in our lives and different places literally. It made me sad, but I just assumed it was part of growing up.

Years passed and Lauren chose to go to Mizzou and I’m so glad she did. For the past three-ish years, Lauren and I have grown closer again and have become even better friends than I think we were as kids. It may be that I don’t tease her anymore (well, not as often) but I think it’s something more than that. We work hard to keep our friendship strong. We always make time so see each other even if the only time we can meet between her heavy class load and my many jobs is at the gym.

Being friends as kids is easy for the most part. You’re friends with whoever your parents, your school or sports team put you with. Being friends as adults is a little harder. We all have jobs and significant others and obligations and it can be easy to let friendships fade. It can be work but it’s worth it. I’m working hard now at making all my friendships last. It’s about making the choice and not letting things go.

Luckily for me, Lauren will be getting her Masters at Mizzou so we’ll be together here for a little bit longer, time that I will cherish. But I know this time, when we live in different place, we won’t drift apart. We’ll choose to be best friends for the rest of our lives.

I love you, Lauren. Thank you for being my sister, my cousin and, most of all, my friend.