As you age, you learn many things about your family. Those people you used to dread spending time with are now the people you enjoy the most. Appreciating your family is something that comes with age and time. With age comes maturity (for most people), and with that comes a love for your family that only grows with time. Learning to appreciate your family is the most amazing thing that can happen, because they are people that will always be there for you no matter what. Although there are many, here are just a few things that happen as you grow older:

1. Your dad becomes the funniest person you know.

I know your dad has always been funny. But, now he’s funny in a different way. He can finally joke around with you like he would with one of his friends. You’ll still be his “little girl,” but you’ll also get to be his friend. It’s kind of the best of both worlds.

2. Your mom becomes your best friend.

You may have had a few rough years with your mom, but now you’re finally able to see how awesome she is. Yeah, you guys still might disagree sometimes because your mom is always going to look out for you, and you are still going through your wild stage. But, you now understand why she always yelled so much, and you appreciate how much she cared. You’re able to understand that having a mom is a blessing, and having a friend in her is a privilege.

3. You stop fighting with your siblings as much.

You will always fight with them, because it’s fun and gives you some entertainment in times that you are super bored. But, you now see them as friends rather than annoyances. Having a sibling might have been really rough growing up, but you are finally at an age where you can enjoy their company without wanting to start an argument. It’s an awesome thing when you finally realize that siblings are your life-long best friends.

4. You learn the value of grandparents.

There is really nothing worse than losing a grandparent. Usually, it is the first major loss you experience in your life. When you are younger, you may not spend as much time with your grandparents because you do not understand how important they are and how short their time may be. But, they love you more than anyone and enjoy every second spent with you. As you age, you learn the importance of grandparents and how much you can learn from them. You learn that every single second counts, and you shouldn’t waste any time. Grandparents are precious.