Since before you could walk, family gatherings of large proportion, however extravagant, have been the norm; aunts, uncles, first cousins, second cousins, three times removed, step grandparents, that little boy who always shows up to Thanksgiving dinner -- these people have been in your life for longer than you can remember. It was not until you grew older and became exposed to more and more people that you slowly registered the possibility that most families are not as large as yours. If this sounds familiar, here are some other signals that you built your foundation on an abnormally large family:
1. Getting together for dinner turns into an all-day event.
After taking into account the fact that you will not only need to wait for everyone to make their way to whichever family drew the short straw to host the dinner, but also wait for the food, which always seems to be a slow-roasting protein, to finish cooking, to set the table...the hope to make it home for your 7:00 p.m. reality TV show is long gone. Not to mention the rabbit hole of conversation that can draw in even the strongest victims.
2. It's rare to find each extended family member in one location at the same time.
From various locations across the globe to specific work schedules, planning a time that works for each family member is nearly impossible.
3. But when everyone is together, nothing else matters.
That's why they invented DVR. Reality TV lasts forever, but you never know when you'll all be together again.
4. Sometimes, this many people makes for your own private reality TV show.
There's bound to be drama -- all out of love, of course.
5. Tradition is deep-rooted.
A family cookbook, relay games, Christmas rituals...you don't always no why, but you always do it.
6. Your cousins double as some of your best friends.
There are so many to choose from that you don't have to worry about pretending to like someone.
7. There is, and always will be, a wide variety of ages.
Your aunt just had a baby, but so did your oldest cousin; you'll never have to worry about missing out on the little ones, and the ages in between are taken care of, too.
8. Numerous aunts and uncles makes for plenty of birthday cards.
Not to mention graduation.
9. Graduation season can be extremely busy.
Having six other cousins your age is wonderful at all times except when scheduling graduation parties, along with divvying out gifts.
10. When one cousin hits the marriage age, there really is no end.
Of course, marriage isn't for everyone, but you will more than likely be going to family weddings for years.
11. You always come up with reasons to get together.
It's Uncle Tim's birthday in five weeks, the next round of cousins is graduating in 6 months -- here, have a slice of cake.
12. You never run out of things to talk about.
With so many different, changing lives to keep up with, time flies when you're catching up, and before you know it you're saying goodbye until the next holiday.
13. You always pick up right where you left off.
Life moves quickly -- there's no point in dwelling.
14. There is always one relative who is crazy good at board games.
Aunt Mary, I'm talking to you.
15. Holidays are unlike anything else.
The food, the noise, the hugs, the football -- pass the potatoes, please.
16. No matter how infrequently you see them, they mean the world to you.
You've got my back; I've got yours.
