I am not a fan of reality or contest TV shows, but this year I am hooked on The Voice.  And it is all because of a 17 year old girl from New Jersey.  Here is why.

My niece has been going to camp in Maine for years.  One of her best friends there is Caroline, from New Jersey.  Over those years my brother and sister in law have gotten friendly with Caroline's parents.  Her parents mentioned one time that they were going to Florida to visit Caroline's grandparents.  My sister in law said that she also had relatives there and they starting asking each other their relatives' names.  They quickly learned that Caroline's mother's maiden name is the same as my brother in law (and Eve's) mother's maiden name.  Putting it all together here is what we know: Eve's grandfather and Caroline's mother's grandfather were brothers.  So, we (well not really me other than by marriage) are all cousins, a few times removed but cousins nonetheless.

Caroline, or course, is Caroline Pennell, one of the eight finalists left on The Voice.  We have been watching and rooting for her every week.  My niece and sister in law flew out to LA last week to be with her and sit in the audience.  She is not only a cousin, she is great!   And suddenly I am glued to this show.

So watch our cousin Caroline tomorrow night.  And vote for her.  (You can even vote for her multiple times but don't tell anyone who is voting for someone else.)