Family isn’t always blood.
When I reflect on growing up, I was the only child so I didn’t have any siblings to play with or share my clothing and secrets with. I know you’re either thinking “Wow! She was probably lonely growing up.” or “I know she was spoiled as a child.” and it was quite the opposite! I built strong bonds with my cousins who were the very first to be my playmates and teach me how to share my things. Little did I know that later on in life I would meet people who taught me how to truly be a part of a family. When I began to pack up my college dorm and head home, I created a list of things that my friends taught me. I could go on for days about the numerous life lessons they have taught me over the years and months, but I will not. The most important things that I have learned are simple. They have taught me that it is perfectly okay to let your guard down and trust people. There is an unexplained comfort that I have in knowing that there are people who will stick with me through thick and thin. Your friends will become your teachers as well. They have taught me to enjoy the moment that I am in because I will never get that back and it could all be gone by tomorrow.
“Family isn’t always blood. It’s the people in your life who want you in theirs; the ones who accept you for who you are. The ones who would do anything to see you smile and who love you no matter what”
This quote could not be more true. Some people will come into your life, both expected and unexpected, who will change your life. It is so important to cherish and love the ones who accept all of your faults and guide you through the good times as well as the bad. People will constantly come into our lives as either a blessing or a lesson, and it is okay if they end up being a lesson. For those who come into your life as a blessing, hold on to them as tight as you can.
No matter how many days or miles apart we are, the bond will always remain. I am so blessed to have made some of the amazing, awesome, very annoying, yet loving friends over the years. We are not perfect and we make our mistakes, yet they’re perfect enough for me. My tribe is the best thing that has happened to me. We may not talk every day or see eye to eye all the time, but there is so much love here.. and I would not trade it for anything in the world.
