oahu, hawaii

one of my cousins tell me that she's planning to move to the islands.

came to me as a bit of a shock. she's my favorite, among all that i have.

it may stem from the fact that i used to carry her around when she was little, and she drooled all over my face when she planted a kiss on my cheek and let her lips stay there for about 15 minutes, thus creating more dribble.

somehow, i found that endearing. mostly wet, but that apparently was the key to my heart.

it helped, i think, that she was just adorable.

to me, we've gone through a whole lot. doubt if she even remembers, but when she was 11, being the middle child was torment for her. i'd like to think that i helped even the field by telling her how she could get back at her siblings. in a nice way, of course.

that's probably when i decided for sure that she was my favorite.

when she just turned 16, we snuck out and i let her drive.

i received a hug for my efforts. and a reprimand from her mother.

though she's my favorite, i probably ought to have kept more in touch with her. i figured that if i did, the charm of being my favorite would diminish.

still, i have a hard time accepting that she's all grown up now.

she doesn't need me anymore. i no longer have to tell her things to make her feel better, nor do i need to hug her when she seems to need it most.

i promised her that i'll go visit her whenever i can, once she's settled there.

in truth, i probably need her more than she needs me.