On September 9th, we celebrated my cousin/babysitter-extraordinaire/best friend’s 15th birthday. One might assume that a super-cool 15-year-old high schooler wouldn’t want to hang out with a cute, little, still-need-my-butt-wiped 4-year-old, but Ashlee’s something special. She always has time for me and even invites me to sit with her and her friends at high school sporting events. I’m lucky to have such a beautiful soul in my village. Ashlee is kind and patient and loyal… and it’s like she never grows too old to love me.

Happy birthday, cousin! As you make another trip around the sun, I hope you get to feel its warmth every day because that’s the gift you’ve given me.