1. "Dinner is ready!" means the race is on.

When you here “Dinner is ready!” shouted from the kitchen on any holiday you know that you, your cousins, your aunts, uncles and even your grandparents are now competing to be first in line. No one wants to be stuck last behind the whole family.

2. You are used to people yelling.

With big families, yelling is really the only form of communication. We yell while we talk, while we sit and even when we tell secrets. Growing up loud noises did not phase me because of my family.

3. At all your events you are the kid with the fan club.

Growing up, I was that girl whose entire family came to every event and screamed from the stands whenever I did something. At first, I was a little embarrassed but once they couldn’t always be there I knew I loved having them in the stands. My family rarely missed events and they were known for being loud and proud.

4. You have a huge support system.

Big families will have their fights, but if anyone ever messed with one of us, you messed with all of us. Growing up I knew when I got into trouble my cousins turned into brothers and my aunts and uncles became second parents. Big families are protective because even though there is a lot of us, the family is not the same without one of us.

5. Listening to stories of your aunts and uncles all growing up in the same house is one of your favorite things to do.

The classic stories that are told on holidays of when your aunts and uncles all grew up in the same house are some of your favorite stories ever told. You could listen to the same story over and over and it will always be funny.

6. Opening presents on Christmas is a process and takes about 3 and a half hours.

When present time comes around its understood that we will all be here for 3 and a half hours watching each person open each of their gifts. But it will be some of your favorite memories.

7. Bringing a boyfriend/girlfriend to their first family party is like preparing them for an exam.

“So, this aunt will do this and this uncle will say this…”. You know your family so what they do does not surprise you but for other people walking into a big family can be a huge shock.

8. Being shy is not an option.

With big families, everyone knows everything. You are ready to break out into a song and dance at any moment and you are very used to loud noises. You got a pimple? Three people will offer to pop it. Karaoke? Always.

9. You probably have scars from playing with your cousins when you were little.

Hide and Seek, Red Rover, and Running Bases were a part of your childhood and you have the scars on your knees or elbows to prove it. With big families, these games get intense and competitive. Blood will be lost.

10. No one truly gets you like your family does.

Your family knows you like the back of their hand. They know when you’re sad, happy, or excited. They know everything about you. You feel at home when you’re with your family because you can truly be yourself. Your family are some of the only people that will truly love you for you and it is the best feeling to know you have a bunch of people who only want the best for you.