Time for the girl to have her own show

Meet my cousin Kate, seen here at my 13th birthday party, stealing my show.

I was happy to let her, however, because Kate and I--from her earliest moments--had a very special connection.

10 years old when she was born, I babysat her, fed her, changed her diapers.

And then, I watched her grow up into this lovely, thoughtful, sweetly wise woman,

with a laugh that is infectious.

This past week we got to spend some quality time together, which was special for many reasons. 

The first is that I just like her, so being with her is good.

The second is that being with her very rarely happens these days.

The third is that there is nothing like the relationship of a cousin you've known from the beginning, because you're just comfortable with each other's way of being, without any drama.

The fourth is that our quality time occurred when there were others around us who could take our picture, because clearly we are not very good at taking it ourselves.

But, the fifth?

The fifth is that as of Saturday she will be married to this nice boy, who--despite the fact that I didn't meet him until 9 brief days before the wedding will occur (ahem!)--has won my approval, because he's won her heart.

And her heart is a lovely one.  

(As will be--I'm sure--that upcoming show.  Stay tuned!)