A few years ago, all the cousins in the family sat down and created a “coolness hierarchy,” a ranking system of some sort.

I’m not sure what inspired this. It wasn’t, in any way, a popularity contest. And there was no official rubric to plot us all on the totem pole of “coolness.” But for some reason, the 7 (now 9) of us determined our coolness value through discussion, which ultimately led to the “Hierarchy of Coolness.” 
I was #2. I may have slipped over the past few years as I was forced to grow up and be an adult with boring responsibilities. But, even in my early 20s, when I thought I was cooler than cool, I remained #2.

Because #1 was always reserved for this man.

His coolness started back in the early 90s – at Chuck E Cheese – when we asked him to crawl up the Skee ball lane to drop the balls into the “100” buckets to get us ALL the tickets.

Since then, he’s only gotten cooler.

Like I said, there was no official rubric for this thing. But it goes without saying that Bhanu Seth was #1, is #1, and will always BE #1.

Maybe it’s the fact that he follows his heart – with no second guessing.

Or that he is just so genuine, so real.

Or maybe because he is the baby of the family but, surprisingly, has us following in his footsteps because he’s as tall as a building so inspiring.

I can’t put my finger on it. And there’s no way I can possibly explain his coolness in words.

But, today, on his special day, I want the world to know his value.

On the cousin’s totem pole. And in life.

He is our #1.

Love you always and forever, Bhanita.

Happy birthday!