Does anyone have a family as crazy as mine? I don't know, but, I do know that my family is pretty crazy, and pretty great. The family that I brag and talk about the most is my dad and his brothers: my uncle Tim, Mike, and Phillip.

I didn't meet Jan, Tim, and Cristen until I was around 11 years old, and even then, I couldn't remember their names to save my life. I didn't meet any of my dad's family until I was at that age, for complicated reasons, but I remember the day that I met them, and that was at my first Beasley Christmas. Without giving you all the details, I'll just let you know that Christmas at Josephine Beasley's house is not only the family event of the year, but also the craziest event. Carolina Basketball is on the TV, kids are running around, uncles are in the kitchen trying to get a taste of the food, Mammaw is yelling at everyone to get out of the kitchen, fishing stories (or lies) are being told in the living room, those who are late are being called my my cousin Michael, cats are running, dog is barking, smoke detector goes off, and finally, the Christmas meal is prepared and we are all finally quiet because we are shoveling food into our mouths.

I say all this, because, as you can imagine, my first time at one of these events was quite overwhelming. In the midst of all the chaos, though, I remember stepping back and watching it all with an awe. I also remember my Aunt Jan and my mammaw skillfully navigating the kitchen and helping prepare all the food, which is the most important component of the whole thing. I also remember how I was welcomed with open arms by everyone, especially Tim, Jan, and Cristen.

8 years later, they are still there for me.

I would say that Jan is a mother figure in my life. Without her, I wouldn't have that. We share emails throughout the year, and in these we talk about what is going on in our lives, and different things we can do to get together. Jan, Cristen, and Tim come to the basketball games they can make it to, some of which my dad can't make it to. When my dad is absent, I feel a void, because he is my number one fan. Whenever Jan, Cristen, and Tim are there, though, I feel just as supported. Jan and Cristen are also very popular with my team because they bring homemade goodies with them. I tell people that they are like another set of parents for me, and I really do mean that. I go camping with them, we have taken a road trip to Nebraska to see Jan's family, who, by the way, were also so nice and loving, and I consider them to be just as important to me as the Beasley's.

Something that Jan and Tim have offered me is a home away from home. Their house is like a second home to me, and I always feel loved and safe there. In fact, I went there for fall break. I was able to go, rest, and do some fun things while I was there. We did A LOT of crafting. They always say I am like one of their own, and that means the world. They always make sure I am taken care of, as does the rest of my family.

I am writing this as a thank you to Jan, Tim, and Cristen. Thank you to Jan for being such an important woman in my life, to Tim for making sure I have everything I need from an oil change to basketball tips, and to Cristen for crafting with me and watching lots of murder documentaries.

I am blessed, and I love my family, and I wouldn't trade them for the world.