I realize that life is cyclical, and it's only natural to go through phases with the relationships in your life. That being said, I still wonder at the ebb and flows that draw people together then separate them, only to draw them together once more.

Families are interesting sometimes, but I had a best friend in my cousin Michelle.

We bonded very quickly in life, living only about 20 minutes away from each other and being less than a year apart in age (I am older by 10 months). Michelle and I spent many summer days playing from morning until night. We had dreams of becoming writers and shared a passion for Lucy Maud Montgomery's Cordelia Anne (with an 'e'!) Shirley and any heroine that Jane Austen ever penned—though I have only recently become acquainted with Catherine Morland (only at Michelle's urging, since I am not a fan of Gothic novels and did not know what this story would hold along that vein).

We remained close through my first year away at college, and the first semester of her first year—but by that time, I was changing. I was making strides to no longer be a reactionary participant of my life but to have a part in steering it along. I was motivated by fear initially (a sharp pain in my 20-year old chest) but later the thrill of empowerment.

I think we all come upon that time in our life when the change that we know need most is more important than any of the reasons why we haven't sought the change until that point. I hit mine shortly after I turned 20, and went off to live life, make mistakes, and take charge. Michelle and I grew apart.

While I went off to have adult relationships, join the workforce, and deal with the loss of a parent, she spent long years getting first her undergrad then her master's degree. Returning to her parents' home to live after finding that the job market was not favorable to the inexperienced (regardless of their education), Michelle hit her point.

The "point" is shorthand for there's nothing left to now do but face what's wrong.

I find myself in a reflective place as I watch her go through the same struggles and pitfalls that I endured almost a decade ago. All I can do is give her what I did not have: understanding. It has brought us inexplicably close again, after almost 10 years of distance. Part of me wants to step in and guide her around the same mistakes that I made, but another part of me knows that mistakes teach better than any university ever could.

We had pedicures together a few weekends ago—her suggestion—and it was great. For two people who grew up thinking that socializing involved consuming mass quantities of food, it's nice to see that we are both actively trying to change our programming. She's going through a difficult time right now, and I am so proud of her for turning to ways of coping other than food.

She is also a good influence on me as I am struggling through some health-related issues right now (and way too much stress at work), and it would be so easy to turn to the old crutch. Now I need to be good to myself so that I can be a support system and example for her. It occurs to me that this is perhaps how it should be, that people need to lean on each other instead of focusing so hard on being independent.

I am happy that the different paths that our lives have taken have crossed again. I think we're now both in a place where we are ready to welcome and maybe even learn from our differences. How strange that I felt so empty several years ago, but now I am replete with love and companionship. Perhaps when you accept your own shortcomings, you accept that others can as well.

Here's to you, Michelle: I applaud your strength and determination to change your life! You have my ear and my shoulder whenever you need them.