What Makes A Family?

What is a family?

Really. 

What is it?

Is it the people who brought you into this world and any others that they brought into this world as well? Is it the people who love you the most? Is it those who you can always count on? Do they have to look like you? Sound like you? Or even be like you at all?

One of my sisters and I look almost nothing alike. I look like the sun and I had a falling out a decade ago and haven't been able to be in each other's presence since that fateful day. She looks like an island goddess. I have a light brown lion's mane where she has beautiful dark curls. We are biological sisters but does that matter if we look nothing alike?

My dad is a wonderful man. He and I share the same earlobes and love of fresh veggies from the garden. I'm pretty sure the list ends there. I'm more adventurous than he can stand and he is unfailingly sensible. He loves the beautiful home he has enjoyed for over 40 years and I can't remember the last time I spent two birthdays at the same address. He draws beautifully and my stick figures need some work. We have learned to happily agree to disagree over the years, which has saved our relationship I'm sure! How can we be so different and still be family?

In college my husband played hockey and after we got married, I was inducted into what can only be called a very unique family. You see, many of the guys on the team had left their homes in their early to mid teens to play for teams in new states, or even new countries. Their teammates became their family. I don't mean to say they abandoned the families they were born into. More like they added onto the house, not bought a new one. And when I married my husband I married into this crazy, hilarious, rambunctious, unfailingly kind and loyal family. We have spent weekends with them, celebrated weddings, babies and holidays. My children know many of these crazy hockey players and love them. They are family. 

Over the years my family has evolved. People who I always believed would be top of the list have fallen further down that list than I ever imagined possible. While others I never expected have become paramount in the lives of myself, my husband and my children. And you know what? That's okay. Families, however they are defined, are messy and crazy and exhausting and wonderful. Each one looks a little different and they often evolve over time for which I couldn't be more grateful. Because as they evolve they can grow to include more love and more people who want to walk through life enjoying each other's company and helping one another through the difficulties life presents. 

So whatever your family looks like and however it came to be, celebrate it. 

Because we all need people who care. 

People who show up. 

People who love. 

People we're grateful to call family. 

-Kel

So guys, what's your favorite thing about your family? Has your idea of family changed over time? I'd love to hear from you all!




(Photo Credit: Brad Peterson at bpdesignerportraits.com)