You may not have a distinct title in my life like “Dad” or “Sister” or even “Cousin,” but you don’t need a label to know how important you are to my world. In my mind, you are the definition of family. You are the people who make me feel cared for and important; the ones who constantly raise my spirits. You love me for who I am, despite my imperfections. I am thankful for the part you have played in my journey, and I know my life wouldn’t be the same if I never knew you.
I don’t think I’d ever be able to express to you how big of an imprint you have made on my heart. You’ve been there from the beginning, whether I realized it or not. The relationship we have started as something that was a casual interaction, but slowly grew into a friendship that was essential to me becoming who I am. Through my trials, my laughter, my success, my tears, everything that has made and matured me, you have been right there by my side. Your silent support and influence as I grew, allowed me to discover myself. You showed me by example the type of characteristics that I wanted to have, and passed your morals on to me.
And when my world turns and things don’t seem to be going my way, I search for comfort, and I always find it in you. You have the right words to say and remind me how to be happy even in the hardest of times. When I lose myself, you reassure me of who I am. On my darkest of days, when I feel like giving up, you shine love into my world. You never judge, you’re slow to anger, and I know that no matter how bad something may seem, I have you to help me through it. You are my shelter from the storm; I know I can escape the worries of the world whenever I am with you.
They say you can’t pick your family, which may be true when it comes to our genetic make-up, but I’d disagree with that statement completely, because I pick you. I pick you to be the people I spend my holidays with; I pick you to be the one I call for advice on my many wonders of life; I pick you to tell my secrets to; I pick you to go on vacation with; I pick you to celebrate with me at my wedding, to be in my children’s lives, to grow old with; I pick you to be my family.
And for all the love I have for you, I hope you feel the same for me. I hope you know how much I care for you and how I will always be here for you. When you shine, I shine. And that’s what makes a family. A collection of people who love one another and want to see those loved ones be happy and successful. I wouldn’t change a thing about my life because I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to know you.
I love you all.
