" Family is not important. It's everything" —Michael J. Fox
Growing up as the fifth grandchild in a family full of succeeders and extremely talented people was not the easiest thing in the world, especially when everyone was super athletic and I couldn't even ride a bike without falling off. But they still appreciated what I was good at, and to me that's what family is all about. I guess when you look at things, I didn't really grow up like most kids in my classes did. My parents are still together, I saw and still see my cousins almost everyday, and I never had to worry about having someone to go talk to because my family were (and still are) my best friends. I've grown to have an appreciation for how close my family is. When I was younger, I didn't really understand why having Sunday family dinner with everyone was so important. Now, sometimes those Sunday dinners are the only time of the week I get to see my family.
When I was younger we had beach trips every single summer for two weeks in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. And for those two weeks, everything seemed to go away. All we had to worry about was each other and which two kids were fighting that day. But now we're in school, playing major league baseball, starting our own businesses and figuring out what to do with our lives. We don't get that trip anymore because of how busy we all are, but busy in a successful way so I guess I can't complain.
A few months ago my mom started a group chat for all of the kids in the family and each day she sends us a bible verse. And I thank her for that because for that one moment in the day we are all reading the same thing and writing our "I love you's" to one another. For me, it's like a mini-beach trip each day to remind us how much we truly care for each other, even if we fight sometimes. And of course fighting is just something that comes with having a family so close. It's almost like everyone knows everything about each other, which was annoying when I was 14, but now I appreciate it because when I want to talk to someone they'll come to me when I don't know what to do. We've been through a lot together, and each time one of us falls, every other person is right there to help us get back up again.
Family is something that will always be at the top of my list. Without my family I don't know where I would be standing today. Through all of the ups and downs they are the only ones who have been by my side. And my family is the reason I only look for men who are family oriented, because if you they can't be close with their won family, how could they ever fit into mine? I will forever be grateful for each and every one of them.
