Dear Emily, my sweet bug, my cousin, today is the day when you will officially become a lovebug and marry your soulmate, and I couldn’t be happier.
It seems like just the other day we were young kids in Orlando watching a boxing match at your parents’ house sitting on the floor and playing board games. I was always excited when my parents told me, “Carlitos, we’re going to go see Emily!” And I would reply with my high-pitched voice, “We are? I can’t wait!” And although you were a couple of inches taller than me at the time, I not only looked up to you physically but spiritually, and I always looked forward to seeing you!
It seems like just the other day we were in Puerto Rico when we were in middle school. We stayed up for hours at your grandparents’ house playing Nombre Apellido and MASH. We watched Degrassi and talked about science, space, and how big and infinite the universe was. You were always intrigued by something bigger than yourself, and that’s what always intrigued me most about you.
It seems like just the other day I watched you walk across the stage at your high school graduation. You wore a gold cap and gown and I had long hair at the time. I wore black dress pants and a white dress shirt. I knew then that your possibilities were endless.
It seems like just the other day you came to my 19th birthday and album release party because you were excited to see Masta Flo and spend time with me! I remember sitting in the back of the red pickup truck in our backyard drinking, talking, and having fun. And I still have the Masta Flo poster you drew for me in my room at my parents’ house since you were always so into drawing.
It seems like just the other day you moved back to Orlando from Port Saint Lucie to start your bachelor’s program to become a teacher. I remember the joy I felt knowing I had one of my closest family members moving closer to me again. You moved into The Woodlands with your head held high and determination.
It seems like just the other day you completed the master’s program and we celebrated your graduation and my birthday at my parents’ house. It was an achievement few would accomplish, and I knew you would continue to not only inspire the children you teach but me as well. I even thought to myself, “Maybe I’ll get my master’s, too!”
Lastly, it seems like just the other day when I was in vacation in Pennsylvania at my aunt’s house in the summer of 2013. I was on the top floor in a small room, and we were having a three hour phone conversation as usual about love, relationships, and other topics. You told me you had been fed up with dating and just wanted to focus on yourself and take things slow. I told you to continue doing that and that everything would work itself out in the end. Lone behold, a few short months after that, you would meet Joey who would turn out to be an excellent friend, partner, and future spouse for you.
Despite all of our little childhood quarrels and secretly and jokingly seeing who can outwit who, it’s been awesome being apart of your life. As someone with a unique story of my own and who doesn’t have siblings, our bond is deep and meaningful to me, and I will always cherish it. So congratulations on this next milestone, and I look forward to seeing just how far you will go. Thanks for turning out to be an amazing friend, daughter, sister, cousin, woman, person, and like a sister I never had. I’ll never forget.
To Joey, it’s always fun hanging out, talking, and playing games with you. As I’ve gotten to know you over the years, I know you’re not only a good guy but a great guy for Emily. I’m not sure if in the past this is how you imagined the future would be, but I hope you’re happy, and I believe with Emily at your side, you will be. And most importantly, thanks for loving Emily. I know you’ve overcome obstacles of your own and will persevere through anything. On behalf of myself and the family, I’d like to officially welcome you to the family!
I wish nothing but the best for both of you, and know I’ll always be here for both of you. Let us celebrate for this next chapter. It’ll be exciting as long as it’s done with love, kindness, and with each other.
C.A.H.
06/26/21