I was sitting in class one day when the question of what is a family and who is in it came up. Many said their family was their mom, dad, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.

While everyone was going back and forth talking about their families, I kept asking myself the question over and over again. What is a family? Who is in my family?

It finally became my turn and of course as anyone who knows me would say my answer was long.

So what is a family?

Well, of course, I have my mom, dad, two brothers and many more blood-related family members. However, they aren’t my family. I mean they are but I also have my nonblood related family.

My other family is the family that has been through so much with me. They are the ones I can call or text at any time during the day or night and they would answer. They are the ones who have been there when I wanted to give up the most. They are the ones who want me in their lives and I want them in mine.

So the next question who is in my family?

Well if you want a simple answer it would be my friends. But of course, I like explaining all of my answers.

So here is my family!

First I would like to start out with the mom of the group Mikala. She’s always there if you need someone to listen to you. She’s always prepared for every situation. She is the one we can look to in any “mom I need you” situation. She is the leader and the one who makes sure that we are all headed in the right direction.

Then you have Joe. Oh, Joe, he is the definition of the father in the family. He is the one who you can lean on when you need a shoulder to cry on or he’ll make you laugh when you don’t have a smile on your face. He likes to give random hugs even if you don’t need one or if you do and don’t tell him he knows you need one. He is the one who can build anything and everything. He is the one who embarrasses you because he thinks it's funny and because he can. He probably has a ton of dad jokes he can tell but secretly doesn't want everyone to know it.

Next, you have all of us “children.” There are six of and each and everyone of us have our own personalities and roles. We are gonna start with Marlowa. He’s like the older brother who protects everyone. He makes sure everyone is okay and is having a good time. Just like Joe, Marlowa is always there if you need a shoulder to cry on or just simply need a hug. Then there is Sean. He is the one person in our group that I would consider to be the quiet one. But when he talks he is hilarious or it’s not expected. Just like Marlowa he’s the other protector of the group and he will be there if you need a hug. He makes promises he keeps and no matter how much some of us annoy him he loves us all.

Then there is me! I’m the older sister everyone goes to when they have a problem. I always listen and always give my opinion. I am the one who keeps secrets because they know I won't tell anyone else, I always put my family first no matter what. Next is Jordan. She's the one who tells you how it is. She knows what you want to hear however she will tell you what you need to hear. She’s the comedian of the group. Jordan likes to have fun just like everyone else but knows when she needs to get something done it comes first.

Finally, there's Mira and Nathan. They are the two younger siblings who are tough as anything. They need all the older ones when it comes to advice or needing help. However, they can put up a fight. These two are fun but mature when they need to be. And just like every younger sibling they can get on your nerves.

My family is a crazy one. We have our great memories and fun times but we even have our rough patches as well. There have been times where they are the only family I want to turn to because it’s better to fight through the storm with your friends by your side. They are the most amazing family in the world and I wouldn’t want to trade any of them out for anyone else.