In a world where your life could flip inside out in the blink of an eye, where sometimes it feels like the bad might prevail over the good, I like to stop and take a moment to think about my family.

Parents, aunts, uncles, siblings, cousins, grandparents and sometimes, if you're lucky, great-grandparents—your family.

These are the people who are always there to support you, and motivate you to meet new aspirations. These are the people that when you cry, they have their shoulder out to cry on. They're the support when you move away. They love when you when you're hard to love, and they have seen you at your worse and they will never judge you for that.

Family is where life begins and love never ends.

Family is about showing up when someones needs it most and having each other's backs. Family are those people you call when you get a flat tire or when you just need someone to talk to. The people who, whether near or far, know everything about you and love you unconditionally.

Over the past 18 years, so much has changed and became different, but my family was always the constant that stayed. There has never once been a moment in my life where my family was not there when I needed them. They have been there with me through my best times, worst times, and times where I did not think I had anyone.

Maybe I notice it more because I'm older, or because life has hit us harder than we thought It would, or maybe because I don't see them for months at a time. Whatever the reasoning is, I know that I will always be able to count on them through all the hardships and whatever life throws me next.

Sure, you're not always going to get along with family. That's normal! There will be plenty of fights, arguments, disagreements or regrets. You may not talk or see some of your family in years. But that doesn't mean anything. You'll always love your family.

No matter how big, small, normal or crazy your family is, family is forever.

Throughout the past couple years, I have always chose to go out with all my friends all the time. I pushed so many family members away, and I was always so selfish about going out to parties, and spending every night away at someone's house, rather than my own.

I went away to college 1,600 miles away from home, and it was one of the hardest decisions I ever made. I knew in my heart that I wanted to get out of my hometown, but my heart did not want to leave all my family I grew up with. Of course I miss the family celebrations, the hugs, and the vacations. But I'm extremely thankful to be able to FaceTime them, and be only a 2 hour flight away.

Never forget the power of family. Make sure to thank your parents every day, call your siblings to see how they are, and cherish every moment you have with them. Without them, you would not be who you are today. Family is the best and most important gift in our lives, and it is important to embrace it every day.

Don't let the little things in life destroy your relationship with your family members. You never know how long you have with them. The best advice I've ever received from my parents is "your family will always be there for you, so don't push them away" and "always tell your loved ones you love them every chance you get." We never know when our goodbyes will be our last. Embrace the family members in your life. Don't push them away. You only get one family.

I learned when life goes to hell, family will always stand by you. I am so extremely blessed to have everyone I have, and I will forever appreciate them through anything.

To my family, I love you all, always.

"Life is beautiful. It's about giving. It's about family."