Monday, January 19, 2009

A perfect match

Have you ever found someone you connect with on such a profound level that you immediately begin to wonder if somehow you just might be related?

Well, I had that experience over the Christmas holidays.

And the best part? We ARE related. We just haven't seen each other in a really, really long time.

This is my cousin, Liz. [please ignore my giant head in this picture]

She and her family came to visit us over the Christmas break. Neither one of us knew what to expect, as we have not spent much time together as adults. Sure, we got along great as kids. But back then I was the cool, older cousin with big bangs and pegged jeans. Now? I'm just the older, fatter cousin with a muffin top and three kids. What if we had nothing to talk about?

Well, we had plenty to talk about.

We had a blast. The kids immediately became fast friends, and the husbands chatted it up while bonding over the football. She and I stayed up late, laughing, joking, and never once running out of things to say.

It was a little eerie, though, how similar our families are. Our kids were a perfect match for each other.

Her oldest is a polite, tender-hearted bookworm, who is very eager to please. Just like my oldest.
Her second child is spunky, curious, energetic, and passionately creative. Just like my second child.

Her daughter is a sweet, pink-loving princess who can climb trees with the boys, but also happens to be a devout Dancing Queen fan.

Just like my daughter.

Her baby boy is a chubby ball of content, smiling love who never once cried in the three days we drooled over him.

My baby boy is...oh, wait.

I don't have a baby boy.

Sorry. Got a little carried away there, what with the similarities between our two families and all. But I could not have hand picked better friends for my kids. It truly was the icing on the cake for our holiday break. We were so sad to see them go.

The kids have not stopped talking about their new cousins, and I am thrilled to have connected with my cousin. Thanks for everything, guys. We can't wait to get together again soon.

Which we will. Because when you find people you like this much? You just have to get some more time with them. And soon.

27 comments:

Terra said...

oh what a wonderful story! I am so jealous!!!

Ilene said...

I totally get this.

When I was young, my cousin and I planned to live next to each other when we were all grown up. Of course we were going to be neighbors with pools and slides that went into the other cousin's pool. It was rad.

When I lived in Spokane we lived within 20 minutes of each other. While we didn't have the pools, we still had a lot of fun hanging out. Cousins are awesome.

Chatter said...

That's wonderful. And you can feel the similarities through the photo's. Glad to hear you had such a delightful time. And boy oh boy is the little one a doll.

Alissa said...

sounds like it's time to have that little boy you mentioned. *wink *wink *nudge *nudge

Unknown said...

You guys look like you could be sisters, actually...and you don't have a giant head in that picture...funny girl! How fun. I'm a bit jealous of your cousin on the "other side"! Just kidding....sort of :)

melissa ( : said...

That is one cute baby boy!
And muffin top... yeah right! Give me a break.
PS Did you get to hold that baby Zoey while she was in town?? She beat us to St. Louis... she must have heard you (I mean Maren) crying for a baby to hold all the way in PA. ( :

frillsfluffandtrucks said...

Cousins are great--I'm glad you reconnected with one of yours. :)

~ Sarah

Annemarie said...

Nothing better than hanging out with another family where everyone just clicks. It's the best! So glad you had a great time!

Kristy said...

I love those friends and family members that you can pick right up where you left off...as if you never left!!! They are such blessings in our lives. Cute pics of the kids!!

AD said...

How weird. Last week I got to reconnect with one of MY cousins who stayed with me and we connected like you two did and her name is...LIZ!

But she only has one child, a little baby girl that we all went gaga over. But still.

What type of camera do you have?? Your pictures are always amazing. Even the one with your not giant head.

danandcindy said...

It won't be long, and she'll be sick of you, like the rest of us.

Woman Interrupted said...

sounds like it was a fun full house. And yes, one look at the picture and I knew you were definitely related!

Michelle said...

Sounds fun! It is always great when you reconnect with family, especially family you enjoy ;).

Becky said...

What a cool match up with the kids. You must know how to make people feel very comfy in your home and that is talent hard to find. Good job.

Diane said...

She looks an awful lot like my high school best friend....could it be? The two of you really do look a lot alike. How fun!

mae said...

There is nothing like bonding with the cousins. Especially when you have such great cousins. Am I right...Lubbers power baby. Lubbers power.

Lauren in GA said...

Oh, be quiet, Dan.

*Ahem*, you do not have a big head.

I am so happy for you that you have a cousin like that! What a jackpot when the kids get along so well!!

Do you think Dan is mad at me, now?

Cindy said...

It really is rare to find people like Liz that you connect with on so many different levels. I'm so glad that you had a nice visit together!

Hazen5 said...

That was such a touching post! So, are you going to have a baby boy? Your cousin's son needs a friend.

Kimberly said...

Awww, that is so cute! Her baby boy is a doll...I want to kiss those cute, chubby cheeks!

♥Shally said...

My cousin and I are the same way. She lives in Virginia, so we rarely see eachother, but when we do, it's like we never left!

We laugh our heads off.

Liz said...

It really was a great time. And I have to say, I love the compliment that we look alike. I will never get sick of you . . . NEVER. Most especially, I'll never get sick of your kids or your cookies.

Liz said...

It really was a great time. And I have to say, I love the compliment that we look alike. I will never get sick of you . . . NEVER. Most especially, I'll never get sick of your kids or your cookies.

queenieweenie said...

How fun to reconnect like that.

Cousins are the best.

Michael said...

I'm with Robyn. We only want to hear about your cousins on our (the better) side of the family...

Bridget said...

How fun. I wish I lived close to a cousin so I could find out if we would really still like each other. How perfect for you that your kids matched up so nicely too.

Jenny said...

Not cousins but really good friends/neighbors. Unfortunately they moved away but we have another fun family we hang out with. Same # of kids so each has his/her own playmate. Parents are on the same wavelength. It's easy.