Family.

When I say family, I mean family. The ones you know you can count on. Who care. Who call. Who love your children. Who smile at you in a way that makes you know they love you. Cousins who know your kids’ names, who ask them how school is, who squeeze their shoulders without the kids wrinkling their nose. Who know their personalities and make sure to acknowledge them. Who tease them about long eyelashes and ruffle blond heads, and smile at squeaky voices.

I am so thankful for my extended family. We were close as kids, doing the big family meals as a whole crew, getting together for holidays, laughing, reminiscing and planning. Cousins pretending and playing and running around causing trouble. We had a great childhood. Time moves on, and there are so many of us, we aren’t able to all get together like we used to. But no matter what, there’s always a special place in my heart for every single one of them.

I wish I had more words- the right words- to really thank this family. They are my aunt and uncle and cousins, yes. But it’s more than that, really. They love us. That much is certain. We love them back, and know they’ll always be there in a pinch. Because that’s what this family does.

Uncle Bud & Aunt Anne, Daniel, Brandon & Sara- ‘Thank you’ seems insufficient. But thank you just the same. We love you all.