Family- is a word that has several meanings, but there is only one way to describe it. It's the people you surround yourself with that make you feel happy and safe. It doesn't always mean your blood. But, in my case, it is my blood. It's my mother and father, my aunts, uncles, grandparents, and cousins. They are kind of like my base. When I am in need of help, they will always be there.

Being a sixteen-year-old that has been through the traumatic experience of having the only home I've ever known at a young age, it opened my eyes to how important my family is to me. My Aunt Lissa even let me sleep on her couch because I wanted to be nearby family after.

Now, not all my family live near me. My grandparents and some of my aunts, uncles, and cousin's live 12 hours away. I don't see them much, but whenever I can, I am talking to them. For the ones that are near, I'm always around.

There are several reasons why my family is important to me, but the main reason is that they are completely and utterly crazy. I'm talking about the crazy that would drive incoming boyfriends away ( which has happened). Especially my mom's side, how we show our love is we tease and pick on each other. I don't know what I would do without the late night games of Phase 10 with my aunt, cousins, and mom. We usually pop in a scary movie and joke around until we are crying and holding our sides from laughing so much. It's one of the things I most look forward to in the summer.

My family is more important than the newest trend or going out with friends every weekend. Watching movies and throwing popcorn at one another is a perfect night for me because I know that they will be there with me through hell and back. They've already done it. They were there for me when my world came crashing down and I am so thankful for them.

I don't know where life is going to take me when I graduate next year, but I know that they will have my back. I don't think I'd be able to survive NYC on my own without them.

From scary the crap out of each other at any given point to playing man-hunt around the neighborhood and hiding on roofs, I will always love my family and cherish all of the memories they gave me.

The Family Motto: " It's always funny until someone gets hurt- then it's hilarious."