my heart in human form

most of us like to carry the idea in our head, that there is one single person in the world that is meant for us. that when the stars align just right, two people will come together and be the perfect fit. and as nice of a thought as that is, it's pretty obvious that that kind of love is often times romanticized. the truth is, no one belongs to anyone. people belong to themselves, and at time, they choose to remain side by side to others. that choice is the true reflection of love. true, love.

I myself have had to go through many, many, different stages of coming to a conclusion on what love is and is not. because of others, and because of myself. yet, through all of these different ideas and muted emotions, one thing about love has always remained the same for me. that one thing, has always been my baby cousin.

the one person, that for me, has been the embodiment of selfless, unconditional love. who has taught me so much about the world, the beautiful and the ugly, and most of all myself. the one person, that no matter what my exceeding flaws have been, has always loved me - from afar when need be, and side by side when I needed it the most. which she has done repeatedly for others in her life as well.

my baby cousin, Alexis, has a heart that doesn't quit. even when there have been times that something arises and others put in her position, may have. you name it, she's dealt with it. dealt with it in a way that I commend her for each and every time I think of her - I could never be as strong as she has been through it all.

when we were younger, we were almost inseparable. thanks to the small age gap, we were unfamiliar with a time in our lives that we weren't the closest and best of friends. Its funny though, because even though she was the younger cousin, she was always the one that I looked up to. the cousin, that I and others, were drawn too. with her charisma, eagerness to learn something new, acceptance, light hearted silliness, and resilience.

she truly is everything and more that one could wish to be themselves, and wish for the people closest to them, to be. and even through my many efforts of trying to be the best that I could be, I would be the first to admit that I wasn't always the best big cousin or friend at times that I should have been. yet - she continued to forgive me when I needed forgiving, love me when I was and was not the most lovable, protect me when I needed protecting from others and from myself, and support me in my rights and wrongs even at times when I was too humble to outright ask for it myself.

through our lifetimes together, the good and the bad, we have been at arms length or attached at the hip. we have said it, felt it, thought it and done it all.

so if I were to romanticize the idea of love, the idea of true love, I would romanticize it as far enough to say that if there really is only one person out there for us individually - even though her big cousin may not be her's, she most definitely is mine.

because she has taught me how to love others when they are hard to love, to be compassionate and thoughtful of everyone just because, to laugh whenever given the chance, to keep going when things don't work out the way you expected, to be my own god damn rescuer like she has done time and time again for herself, and to love myself despite the flaws and work that still needs to be done.

because the stars aligned just right..

and made it so that we became family

that she became my baby cousin

and because even though we may not be the "perfect fit"

we can be the perfect balance to one another's faults and risings.

PS.

because the stars align just right at times..

and because,

"love is always patient and kind; it is never jealous,

love is never boastful or conceited; it is never rude or selfish; it does not take offense, and is not resentful.

love takes no pleasure in other people's sins but delights in the truth; it is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope, and to endure whatever comes."

I think she should have her own star..

RA: 2h30m41 .48s DEC: +67°29'12.4"