Family is an important aspect to one's life. When in college, seeing your family all the time turns into a sometimes thing. For some, seeing their family becomes a holiday affair.

When you can't be around the people you cling to for support, there are two options. Wait for the days you can see your family, or make a little college one. To keep my sanity, I chose to surround myself with a family away from family.

A family looks out for each other. It protects itself and its members as best it can through love. A college family does the same.

My college family, has affectionately been named, The Tribe. The name is in reference to a day in Chapel when Becky Walker spoke on surrounding yourself with people who you can hold accountable, who can hold you accountable, and can hold each other up.

This little family of mine is precious to me. Regardless of our schedules, we find time to be together when we can through the week. The Tribe works together to take care and be taken care of. When one of us is struggling, we lean on the Tribe for support.

This family away from family has been something I have come to cherish. Our Tribe respects the interests of one another. We make an effort to make sure everyone is included and everyone's opinion is being heard. Through love for God and love for each other, we have become stronger.

I have been blessed to be surrounded by a college family. Together, we solve problems, rant about issues, cringe over homework, laugh over jokes, create a caring environment, and keep each other grounded.

Every one of us is important. We all have our little spot in the Tribe. If this group lacked any of us, the dynamic would dramatically shift. We've got each other's backs. We carry the weight when it becomes too heavy.

We are loved and love one another unconditionally. Of course, it doesn't come perfectly polished. We all have rough edges. Somehow, we've become each other's sand paper. Slowly but surely, we are smoothing out the knots, the splinters. When one of us is going through something, we have a small crowd cheering us on from the sidelines.

We stay up later than we should. Maybe we talk too much. Our laughs might be obnoxious. Our stories might be long. But our compassion and care for one another keeps us afloat.

Although I miss seeing my family and being away from home. Having my Tribe is something I wouldn't change for the world. Now that we've found each other, being away from family has become a little bit easier.

Now, I feel like I have a place. I have a purpose and I am worth something. I can be a productive member of society. I can show love to others with ease because I am loved. I can express to my Tribe how important they are to me.

When they feel like the world is against them. When they feel like they aren't needed, I can remind them that they are. Without this little group of nerds, college wouldn't be as rewarding. These relationships I've built mean so much to me.

I'm glad I was listening that day in Chapel about the importance of finding a Tribe. It's become a very important aspect of my college experience that maybe wouldn't have been so clear cut before that sermon