Family we choose
Both my parents were only children and that meant that our family was predisposed to be small. My mother and father did an exceptional job of pulling friends close to them, so that they were chosen family. As such, I never really felt like I had a small family...I had "Aunts", "Uncles" and "Cousins" just like my friends and it was the only normal I ever had. I can't imagine my life without Aunt Eileen and Uncle Vin...and now my cousin Allison is one of my closest friends. Same goes for Betty and Dave, who's house I'd come into, open the fridge, and make a snack...and hang out with Jess, my childhood BFF. Now that I am an adult, I have uncovered what a true blessing this gift was from my parents and their circle. In fact, I am doing the same thing for my children. They have an Aunt Jess, Farrah, Allison and Caitlin who are awesomely present in their lives and the children know no other way. They see the friends that I have, and know that t...