They say, "You can't choose your family," but what if they're wrong? I have a big family. I have my parents, three older siblings, three aunts, five uncles, three sets of grandparents and countless cousins. But if I'm speaking about my family in terms of who all I am genetically related to, then my family is much smaller. Two of my siblings I'm not related to in any way, same thing with one of my aunts and three of my uncles, and all the same with one of my sets of grandparents and probably half of my cousins.

My parents taught me from a young age the importance of strong friendships and that these friends can even turn into family. My three "uncles" are some of my parents best friends that they've had since their 20s and have kept all of these years. My "aunt" is the wife of one of my "uncles." My "grandparents" are the parents of another one of my "uncles." My oldest "siblings" are children of an old friend of my parents and have known me my entire life, literally (they were at the hospital when I was born). My biological sister and I grew up with them, and we all have always considered each other as siblings.

It's easy to say that we consider friends to be family, but friendships can change and dwindle away as easily as the changing of seasons. It's when you find friends that will stick by your side through thick and thin and that will stay by your side for years on end that you truly find the friends who are meant to be your family. I don't know what I would do without these people in my life. They have always been there, cheering me on throughout my best days and picking me up throughout my worst.

I may not have a very large biological family, but with the inclusion of my chosen family, I am rich in love and familial bonds. I could not be any more proud to have these people in my life supporting me and loving me. All of these people in my life have no ties to me except for the memories we've all shared. They are not my blood, but they are my family. They love me just as they would their own sister, niece and grandchild. I have had them all by my side throughout my entire life, loving me, guiding me and knowing that they would do anything for me — and for that I am forever grateful.