Everyone’s got their “family” that isn’t a part of their real family. I’m not talking about how you’re basically a part of your best friends’ family. No, I mean the family that come with the sport you play or the club that you’re in. My “family” is my barn family and there’s no other group that I love more than them.

You know that a certain group of people is your “family” because you know that they’re always there for you. These people always know that you’re there for them, too. You never have to wonder what would happen if something went wrong because, trust me, they won’t let anything go wrong. These are the people that always make you laugh. They always have the funniest (and probably silliest) stories that leave you laughing for at least 5 minutes. You’re able to complain about work and they’re probably going to feel sympathy for you. When you feel that you can’t handle life, they’re going to be right next to you and will try to pick you up.

This “family” will pile everyone into a car and go on trips to starbucks or the ice cream store right down the road to get slushies. It’ll become a tradition and you’ll go every Saturday (at least) just to get slushies. Wal-mart trips are a thing, too, as well as trips to Panera and ordering pizza. These are the trips that you’ll remember because of all the laughing that happens.

There are memories that you’ll make with these “families” and they’ll last for a lifetime. Please don’t take these moments for granted because, before you know it, they’ll be gone in an instant. There’ll be times where you won’t all be there at the same times anymore, some people will move away, or some people will just want to be out overall. Please, make these moments last. Remember them for as long as you can and don’t forget to take lots of pictures!