As a young child, you grow up knowing who your family is based on who your blood connects you to; it’s your parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins. No matter how big or small the group may be, the blood that you share is what brings you together. It’s what we know creates your family: the ones that you love no matter what, lean on for support, and the ones you know you can always count on at the end of the day.

But what we don’t realize is that family isn’t just the people that share your bloodline, it is so much more than that. It’s the people that you can always count on, no matter how you know them or are related to them. It’s the people that chose to be there for you because they want to, not because they’re obligated too. As we grow up and move on to different stages in our life, you begin to realize that your “real” family comes in many forms and that it isn’t your bloodline that determines who your family is, it’s your love for one another that’s the true indicator.

It’s the people that choose to be in your life even though they don’t have to be. It’s your best friends, homies, girlfriends, bros, whatever you choose to call them. The ones who chose you over everyone because they saw a piece of themselves in you. The ones that love the same things you love, hate the same things (or people) that you hate and always ask if you want something from the vending machine before they go.

It’s the people who love you even when they're not obligated too. The ones who treat you like family even if you never were theirs. It’s the mom of your best friend, the teacher who made sure you were eligible so you could play your favorite sport or the coach that cared about so much more than how well you could throw a curveball or hit a jump shot. The ones who pray to God that you’re doing well, and hope that the next time they see you, whenever that may be, that you’re happy and healthy.

It’s the people who cheer you on when you succeed and build you back up when you fail. It’s your teammates, classmates, school counselors and advisors, and the little kids in the stands and the bleachers who watch you in awe. The ones who are never afraid to tell you what you need to hear even if it’s not positive because they know that in the future, it’ll help get you right where you need to be. The ones that are always your number one fan and cheer you on like you’re an Olympic Gold Medalist, even when you’re in dead last, or having the worst game of your life.

Finally, it’s the family that you’ve lost. The ones who left when a breakup ended badly, who were on the other side of a messy divorce, or the ones who just decided that they didn’t want a spot in your life anymore. The ones who may be gone from the current picture of your life, but are never forgotten and whose memories will stay with you forever. The ones that you will always have a place in your heart for, and will always have a spot in your lives waiting for them with open arms and unconditional love.

So next time that someone tells you that you know you’re home when you’re surrounded by family, realize that everywhere you go truly is home. Your family is everywhere you look, even when you’re miles away from your mom, dad, grandparents and all your other “blood relatives” because family isn’t based on blood, it’s based on love.