Growing up, nothing made me prouder than being able to say I had so many cousins, aunts, and uncles that I couldn’t put a number to how many I have or count them on my two hands. Competing with my classmates for who had the most relatives was a battle I refused to lose and found every way to prove that I even had cousins I haven’t met yet. For all of you who are all too familiar with taking an extra hour to depart from family gatherings to say your goodbyes, piling up on the floor knowing no amount of chairs would be enough to seat everyone, and always having someone there for you for the big and small moments know that having a big family is something to be forever grateful for.
My large family branches from my mother who has four sisters who each have at least two children each, and if I went any further than that this article would never end. Having an abundance of aunts, uncles, and cousins who vary in age has created a lot more than huge parties with endless food, but memories that will last a lifetime. So, here’s to all of the reasons why I’m grateful to have my humongous family.
1. Here’s to having a guaranteed amazing time during every holiday.
Members of big families can easily say they never know what to expect when getting together over the holidays but that in the end you’ll have thousands of stories to laugh about for the weeks, months and years to come along with some traditions to pass down.
2. Here’s to having tons of closets to borrow from.
Whether it’s a last minute party, interview, or date and you’re freaking out realizing you have nothing to wear, having a big family means tons of closets to search through and that they’ll do anything to make you look your best for wherever it is you’re headed.
3. Here’s to all of the homework help.
Having relatives and cousins ranging from newborns to adults means that there is always someone who can help you get through that impossible math problem or writer’s block. Books are also commonly passed around from house to house.
4. Here’s to all of the food.
It goes without saying that no matter how many people are involved, getting together with your family means feasting.
5. Here’s to all of the advice.
Whether it’s an issue as small as what to say on a date or as big as figuring out what school to attend having someone there to talk you through what's on your mind is always comforting.
6. Here’s to the competitive family outings.
If there’s open space, a ball, a field, or a court, you can expect teams to be formed and a lot of screaming until a winner is declared.
7. Here’s to always being able to teach me something new.
Learning to cook, clean, play sports, handle the mean girls, and my first experiences in the working world would be close to impossible without my family to guide me through it.
8. Here’s to all of your pets.
Whether it’s babysitting them or playing with them during a quick visit, their pets are basically yours too.
9. Here’s to showing me what it means to be unique.
Each of my family member’s different interests, hobbies, talents, and perspectives has truly allowed me to understand what makes each and every one of them unique and how it helps us come together as one.
10. Here’s to being there no matter what.
Through all the ups and the downs, I know that I’ll always have the support of my family to get me through whatever comes my way and that I would do anything to provide that same support for them. You guys are my everything, and I just wanted to say, thank you.
