It amazes me how close Bianca and I have gotten in the past three years or so. She grew up miles away from me in Miami, Florida. I only occasionally saw her for family events as a kid. It wasn't until she moved to New York to pursue her BFA in Dance that we had the chance to truly get to know each other. And I could not be more grateful for that; she is an incredible human being. For as much as we are completely unique people, (if nothing else, based on our religious upbringings--hers, Buddhist, my own, Catholic), I feel as though we can relate to each other unconditionally. Um, must have something to do with the fact that we're related :).
Anyway, I obviously love her lots, and as such, was excited to celebrate her half-century birthday with her and more family and friends. The fact that she was turning twenty-five was enough to make me question my youth and maturity. 
But then there was also our late dinner location: Ayza Wine & Chocolate Bar. My last visit basically represented the point at which I decided to road trip across the United States (and back) by myself. What a trip, literally and figuratively.
Gosh, life. After receiving her birthday cake and song, Bianca thanked everyone for coming and for being a part of her life. At 25, my cousin is in such a great place professionally and personally, and I know she still has so many wonderful things ahead. I can only imagine what my birthday (only 2 months to go!) and the days until I hit my quarter-century mark will bring. I'm feeling optimistic...
“I want to remember the fear, I want to remember the promise, I want to remember the nights I wanted to curl up in a ball, I want to remember the people I’m not supposed to remember, I want to remember not knowing myself, I want to remember the moment I started to feel safe and like this life I’m leading is really mine. I’m going to be scared, I’m going to bruise my knees and not know how they got there, I’m going to try to fruitlessly forge a connection with someone who won’t ever get it, I’m going to lose the person that means the most to me and find my way back to them. I’m going to be a twentysomething because that’s what I am and all I know how to be. And you should too. You should love every single moment of this hot mess of a decade. Chances are you’ll miss it before you even get to say 'I’m 30.'" -Thought Catalog
