My youngest son and I took a long weekend to visit his cousins. One of them is only five weeks old. Holding him makes me feel like if I could never eat another piece of chocolate for the rest of my life, I would be okay. And then there’s Nicholas. He stopped by on his way back to his homeland of Ireland, where the mist curls his hair and the rain flushes his perfect little cheeks.

At first, Nicholas and Byron had to test the waters a bit–mark their territory, bump trucks into walls, throw food, rip their shirts off and stare each other down….

But then, something special started to happen.

They bonded over their love of popsicles.

 

 

Then, they discovered that they both like speed; things that can spin you around and  bounce you up and down…            

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They started holding hands.

And sharing private jokes.

 

 

And genuinely enjoying each other’s company.

Emboldened by their friendship, they carried their smiles like birthmarks.

 

Like cousins.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Like true friends.