Recently, after going to the Brookfield Zoo for the second time since I was little, I have discovered that so many of my family members and friends remind me of specific zoo animals. Now, for close family and friends reading this, do not take it in a bad way. These are all POSITIVE comparisons. It dawned on me that a lot of the traits of the people in my life had similar characteristics to the animals at the zoo. Here are some examples:

1. My Dad: The Cheetah

Cara Fuller

My dad is the cheetah. Fast, furious, and courageous. He is a triathlon maniac and when he is put to any task he does it with all his whole heart. But, when you want something, he can be quick to run and hard to catch. He makes you work for it. He is quick on his feet to help anyone out and solve any problems. He will always be the first person to get where he needs to be.

2. My Mom: The Kangaroo

Christopher Burns

My mom is the kangaroo. She carries her babies in her pouch. She is caring and puts her children first. She is also strong and will always stand her ground and put up a fight. She will fight off anyone and anything that comes in the way of her children's happiness. She is a kind, generous, and nurturing mother just like the kangaroo.

3. My sister, Kate: The Giraffe

Harshil Gudka

My sister, Kate, is the giraffe. She is always reaching for new goals (like a giraffes neck) and will not stop until she succeeds. She also stands tall like a giraffe. She will keep her head up in bad times and hold it even higher in good times. She is definitely someone that I look up to, just like we have to look up to see giraffes. She will forever be my role model and someone that I strive to work as hard as to get what I want.

4. My sister, Allison: The Monkey

Jared Rice

My sister, Allison, is the monkey. Always up to some mischief and fooling around. She is always going from one place to the next without stoping. Even though, she is always fooling around, she is super funny and adorable just like a monkey. She cracks jokes and her laughing always reminds me of a monkey (in a good way). It is a very excited laugh and makes you want to laugh along too. She may be a handful, but at the end of the day she is still my fun, loving sister.

5. My boyfriend, Parker: The Koala

Vita Vilcina

My boyfriend, Parker, is the koala. He is lazy but cuddly and always wants to keep me safe. He spends a lot of the time sleeping but that is just a typical teenage boy. He likes to lounge around and chill out for a majority of his day. Although he can be super chill, he is also very cuddly and protective. He looks out for me and my best interests. At the end of the day, he is the perfect person to cuddle up next to.

6. My best friend, Elizabeth: The Dolphin

Damien Patkowski

My best friend, Elizabeth, is always doing tricks and talking my ear off. She cracks jokes and laughs like a dolphin's clicking. She is such a fun time when we go out and spend time together. She always is doing some dance move or something funny to get the attention of the people around her so she can give them a good laugh. She is bright and loving like the dolphin. Always someone you want to go out of your way to see, just like you always have to stop at the dolphin exhibit.

There are so many more people that remind me of more zoo animals but all of the people in my life listed above have these amazing characteristics to them even though they remind me of wild zoo animals. They bring happiness and laughs to my life that I will never take for granted. My life has always been as crazy as a zoo but that is what makes it so fun and exciting. I owe it all to them for making my life as great as it has been so far.