Family is one simple word…one word that can mean a thousand things at once. I didn’t realize that this one little word can mean many different things to different people, until my sociology professor explained it. Your family depends on who you come from and where you belong. There is immediate (nuclear) family and extended family, along with family friends. As the generations come and go, the word seems to have more meaning. Maybe it is because back then, people would spend time with mostly family. But now, people seem to spend time with people outside of their families too.

What is family to me?

Family to me is not always blood. It is the people who you go to when you need support and someone to be there to tell you it is all going to be ok. It is the people who you want to tell everything to and the ones who will always have your back. Family will drop everything for you when you need someone to be there for you. Family can also include pets too. Family is definitely the best part of life. If you have good people surrounding you, you have everything.

I decided to ask my family members and some of my closest friends what family means to them. From a few words to long paragraphs, I received some of the best answers.

Here are some of the responses I received:

Family Members

“Family means caring, loving, trusting, and always being there for the people you hold nearest to your heart. Family is unconditional love for those that you hold dear to you.” – Barry Eskenazi (my dad)

“To me, family does not necessarily mean those that are bound by blood. Family is those people that are with you always; in your heart and on your mind. My family consists of my daughter, my husband, my sister, my brother, all of my nieces and nephews, and my friends who have always been there to hold me up when times were bad. Those that are happy for all of your accomplishments and those that you can call anytime when life gets the best of you. I hope I can be the same for them. Family is the foundation. Family shares your customs. Family loves you at your best, and your worst. Family never gives up on you!” – Linda Fareri Eskenazi (my mom)

“A family cannot be defined by words. A family shows love, friendship, and a strong bond. Families can demonstrate these qualities by their actions. In a family signs of love are being expressed constantly. Whether it is a kiss on the cheek or a hug on a bad day someone in a family can show everlasting love to one another. Family is always there to pick you up when you fall down. No matter what the situation is, you always know that your family will have your back and be right by your side.” – Gianna Cipolla (my cousin)

“Bond. Togetherness. Holidays.” – Joseph Fareri (my uncle)

“The word “family” is one of the most powerful words. To me, the only true definition of family is LOVE. People often say family means everything and they are right. It doesn’t matter if your family consists of three people or 30 people, you know these people are always there for you and are willing to do whatever it takes to get through the good and challenging times. The love of family is what gets you through all the ups and downs of life. The power of family is the strength behind each of us.” – Gina Fareri Cipolla (my aunt)

Close Family Friends

“Family is everything. I spend a lot of time with family especially since everyone basically lives so close. You know? Except for you! :(“ – Elliana Harrold (my cousin/not cousin)

“Family are the people you can count on no matter what. They know you better than anyone and can make you laugh and cry with your shared memories. No matter how different you are or how annoying they can be, they will always have your back. And you will have theirs.” – Shari Goldberg

“Family is the epicenter of our souls. In its roots, it binds us to past, present, and future. At its best family, whether born or brought into, brings us our best friends, love, and security.” – Sally-Ann Bongiovanni Famularo

Best Friends

“Family means, and is, everything to me.” – Lidia Togati

“Family is anyone in your life that makes you feel at peace. People who support each other and are always there to listen to each other’s struggles. Family members understand and are accepting of one another. The members of the family always try to lead the family towards goodness and love.” – Julianna Gallo

“Family means blood. It means we have each other’s backs.” – Megan Melapioni

“My family isn’t just my family who I was raised with. I consider friends, family because they stuck by me every single day, day and night. So, friends can be family too.” – Jenna Goldberg

“Family means love and love means unconditional. Family is something that is irreplaceable. They are the loved ones that guide us to be the best versions of ourselves using values we grow up with.” – Juliette Lippo

“Family are people in your life you’d do anything for. Family means putting your loved ones in front of you whenever they need it and them doing the same for you. A family is made of people who don’t necessarily have to look alike, your family can be your friends, but who love alike – fully, generously, unconditionally and without any ulterior motive. Family stands with you so you never have to stand alone, a family helps you stand when you aren’t able to stand yourself.” – Victoria Gallo