Recently I made the voyage overseas to attend the wedding of my cousin in Pakistan. Having not seen my family in around a year and a half I was awed at how much everyone had grown and changed. But as the days went on, I realized that there are some things that no matter how much time passes will always remain the same.

SO HERE’S EIGHT REASONS WHY FAMILY REUNIONS ARE THE BEST.

1. The Laughs
   
   Since reuniting with my family, I have been in a constant good mood. Catching up on old memories, making new ones— I can’t stop giggling. I’ve always heard that laughter is contagious and being around family has been one of the greatest escapes from the toils of everyday life.
   
   
2. The Stories
   
   Remember that one time Aunt Irma got arrested? Or that time Cousin Sally had a bit too much to drink and ended up dominating at family karaoke night? No? Well your family remembers and they will be sure to tell you. Some of my personal favorites are stories involving my parents… Guess I’m not the only one who breaks curfew, MOM.
   
   
3. The Food
   
   A family that binge eats together stays together.. right? Cookies, cakes, pies, galore. I used to think going to grandma’s house was a recipe for weight gain, but nothing packs on the pounds like a reunion where you bond around the dinner table. Plus, as you get older you get to help out in the kitchen and learn secret family recipes. PHILANTHROPY BAKE SALES HERE I COME!
   
   
4. The Lessons
   
   Quite often we dismiss the advice are parents give us about certain things, but coming to a family reunion is pretty much wisdom central. College, marriage, weight loss— you name it and someone will have knowledge on the subject. While some advice can be a bit out there, it is humbling to hear knowledge from elders who have already been through it all.
5. The Weirdos
   
   We all have them, even if we don’t like to admit it. The family weirdos. These are the people your parents always use as examples when it comes to lecturing you about your poor life choices. Though you never believed they existed, family reunions are a great time to realize that maybe that degree you’ve been pursuing in medieval art will get you as far as it did aunt Norma… NOT VERY.
   
   
6. The Similarities
   
   Dad was the funny one? Mom used to be into comic books too? As the day goes one you realize that the apple truly doesn’t fall far from the tree. It’s almost like among your family you’re the new, younger version of your parents. Occasionally you’ll even hear a relative say something along the lines of “Your dad was into that hippy music too, NOW TURN IT DOWN!”
   
   
7. The Presents
   
   Regardless of the time of the year, you can expect some sort of trinkets from your fam-bam. Though family reunions don’t really center around the material thing you can gain, as a college student its always nice to get a lil’ somethin', somethin’.
   
   
8. The Bonding
   
   Despite the location, you realize that home is where the heart is, and heart— it’s where your family is. regardless of the nut cases, and and the wackos this is family and you’re ever so proud to call them yours.