My family structure growing up was pretty typical – it was always me, my mom, my dad, my sister, and my half-brother who would come and visit us regularly. How my parents raised two strong-willed little girls who were 17 months apart, I will never know! Especially since my sister and I weren’t always the most amicable duo, to say the least. Nevertheless, they did a great job of being parents who empowered us, showed us unconditional love, and never ceased to let us know that we were valued in this life.

In the process of growing up and getting older, it’s natural for family dynamics to change over time – it happens with EVERY family! We are all off doing our own things, and sometimes it is hard to keep in touch with everybody on a regular basis. Admittedly, there are periods in my own life where I don’t reach out to family as much as I should because I’m so caught up with what’s happening in my world. That being said, it is always refreshing when I do catch up with family after a long time of being disconnected. The bond of a family is so unique because it is permanent, and that permanence allows for a built-in group of people who will always be there no matter the space, time, or distance. Family is family!

For example, I know I could do a better job at reaching out to my sister. When we do talk though, we always have the best conversations and are able to connect deeper every time we talk because of how much we love each other. I’m actually glad that we are so close in age, because it allows us to relate to each other about so many things! The close proximity may have contributed to our inner (and often outward) competitiveness towards each other as young girls, but now as adult women, I think it has made our bond ever stronger. It’s also pretty cool because I have a built-in best friend (: We have both seen each other through a lot of things, but the fact that we can count on one another no matter what makes me grateful to have a relationship like that with her. 

It’s really interesting to see how people’s upbringings’ have such a massive influence on their adult lives, and subsequently, the decisions that they make later on in life. Of course, as you grow up your opinions on life and how you view the world usually change, but deep down, the inner child that we all have inside is gravely affected by our familial upbringing. For many this is good, but for some it may prove to be a lot more challenging. I am always sensitive to the fact that I am SO beyond blessed to have the family that I have, even though it isn’t perfect. I know a lot of people don’t have that same support that I talked about earlier, and some have even experienced deep trauma within their own homes. It is important to note that when I talk about family, that doesn’t exclusively mean the “family unit” per se. Loved ones, close friends, or even a relationship you are in can absolutely mean family in addition to just blood relatives. Like I said earlier, family is family, and it looks different for everyone!

Whatever your family looks like, I hope that you are able to find some time to reconnect with those loved ones. You know, that one family member you’ve been thinking about calling for a while? Don’t worry, we’ve all got that one. Life happens, but don’t forget about your family – they’re your biggest fans!!

What does family mean to you?