We are Family

So this weekend I got to go to an open house for one of my younger cousins. A lot of family made the trek to the 'Nati for the occasion and I was reminded how lucky I am to be blessed with the family I am. I actually have quite a big extended family on both sides. On my dad's side, which is the one I grew up around, I was one of the youngest. I can remember my older cousins babysitting me and my brother, and taking us places, and really investing a lot of time in us. They always felt more like brothers and sisters than cousins and eventually as we grew older we became more like friends.

Other than feeling really old at the open house, since I remember when Samantha was born and watching her grow up, it was really cool to have that same feeling now with their kids. A lot of them I babysat and took places and invested time in. And now they're growing into wonderful young adults and I'm getting to know them on a whole other level. The bonus of that is that they are hilarious.

I used to think that all families were like this. Through my job I've realized that slowly we're fading into the minority. And that's why I feel totally blessed to have people who surround me that are funny and caring, who can get mad at me because of the stupid choices I make but love me anyway, and who I know would, if I ever needed anything, be there in a heartbeat. Yep, that's my family and I know I am one lucky girl!