Happy Birthday Cousin Series: Happy Birthday Potato!

When I started the series, I can tell you this is the blog I have been waiting to write and planning for months. Today is my cousin Andrew's birthday, he is lucky number seven and I do mean lucky number seven. There were six of us before Andy and we were all girls. Andy is the much longed for first grandson and was the only boy in the family for many years to follow. Andy was the king in a sea of princesses, we all adored him and he couldn't do much wrong!

Andy and I on his first birthday. YES, my head is bandaged. Long story.

Just French Fry and Potato

Andy was born with a personality and a half, from the very minute that kid could talk he had our family in stitches. Very few people are born with a wit like Andy and he has used it to his advantage over the years. He memorized movies and comedy bits from a very young age.  His sharp wit and humor are bar none, if I ever need a laugh, I call on Andy.

Such a cute boy!

Our close bond formed when he was very young. He like his sister Rissa was my little shadow and never very far when I was around. We loved to watch movies and tv shows together, quoting them back and forth.  Our most favorite pastime was playing something we called '' The Flying Circus''; I would lay on my back while flying Andy on my feet in the air. We would do this for hours well into our teen years, perfecting our act and making up our own tricks. We would make everyone in the family room at Grandma's watch our act over and over.

My little shadow and I

These were the days. Hanging out in the family room, watching tv and chatting together

When I was in high school, I took French as a language and was obsessed with all things french. It was during this time that Andy started calling me his ''French fry''. Not wanting him to be left out, I started calling him Potato. The names have stuck and we still call each other by these names over twenty years later.

this picture cracks me up. Andy will get why.

I was eight when Andy was born yet this age difference has never made much of a difference to us. Throughout the years Andy has become one of my closest friends and allies. Of all the men in my life, he is in the top four behind Marty,Conner and my Dad. He was the first cousin to meet and hang out with Marty, a story he likes to tell often about our famous Taco Bell trip.

  If you are a reader of this blog, you can thank Andy for being my very first reader and urging me to write more. He has read this blog from its inception and been my strongest supporter from day one. He has continued to encourage me to take it farther and farther, cheering me on along the way.

In the last five years or so, Andy has taken to calling me frequently. I always get a bit giddy when I see his name on my caller i.d., I think it is the sweetest thing in the world that he calls me to chat. It is through these chats that our bond is strengthened. I love our tete a tete's and look forward to them immensely. We share our dreams, encourage each other and BS along the way. He like his sister Brianne is often amused by my odd outlook on life, I know he loves to laugh at me too.

He is so thoughtful, he wrote me a birthday blog this year which was one of the best birthday presents I've ever received.

My very last goodbye in California was Andy. He drove all the way from Irvine to Montebello to come say goodbye to me. We stood in the parking lot of Penske truck having one of our famous heart to hearts.  It will probably go down as one of my all time favorites. It was truly special and even Marty could witness our bond in person. At one point in the conversation Andy started talking about something he was hesitant about. He really couldn't put into words his issue, I just looked at him and said, " I know you, I know exactly what your issue is.'' Our relationship is such that there isn't much we can hide from each other because we know each other that well.

Andy, Words could never really capture how much you mean to me. You truly were lucky number seven and I am so thankful to have you in my life. You inspire me to dream big while being myself. You are always there for me in the good and bad. You have one of the best hearts and are a wise young soul. I love you to the moon and back kid. Thank you for being one of my best friends, I truly don't know what I would do without you.