How do you start a conversation with a distant family member?

[Jessie]

I have this cousin that I haven't seen since I was 9 and I'm 16 now. The reason we stopped talking is because my asshole of an uncle left her, her brothers and her mom and we lost contact. I found her on facebook today but I don't know what to say, she looks really cool and likes to bmx and some of the same bands as me. Oh and we're both the same age.

[Pookie!!]

You wrote, "she looks really cool and likes to bmx and some of the same bands as me."

Well, there you go, THAT'S what you talk about. Tell her you think she looks really cool because she'll like to hear that, and then talk about BMX and the bands you like, and the rest will follow naturally.

Good luck!... ☺