Family is really such a weird thing, it’s something you are born into and have no control over. Luckily I was born into probably the best family in the world (this may be bias). Everyone always says “family makes you who you are”, and this is so incredibly true. I don’t know what I would do without my family and if you are from a crazy big family as well you probably know all of these things to be true.

1. You have more cousins than you can even count

When you come from such a big family, you sometimes lose count of how many family members you actually have. Don’t even get me started on my second cousins.

2. You see a family member once a day

There isn’t a day where you come home from school or from a friend’s house where a family member isn’t just randomly at your house either to pick up something or just to say hello.

3. You are always full after a family party

Family parties are the best because of the FOOD. Whether it’s your uncle’s amazing soup, or your mom’s great buff chicken dip, you always leave the party feeling full. Also all of your aunts and uncles try to feed you the most food possible because “you are a growing child” or because your college food stinks.

4. Game Nights get a little too competitive

Since you are all family and really have no boundaries, no one really cares if you scream at each other because at the end of the day you know no matter what you say your family will always love you. Although some people’s feelings get a little hurt, its nothing a good laugh and an insult back to that person can’t fix.

5. You have about 10 sets of parents

Every time your family is together and you say mom or dad just about 10 heads turn around and respond to you. This is a blessing and a curse, when you do something great there are 10 people that are there to congratulate you and give you a huge hug, but when you sneakily do something bad there are about 10 sets of eyes that odds are one of them will see you and reprimand you in some sort of way.

6. You respond to almost any name you get called

Since there are so many cousins and siblings you are used to being called anything but your name. I go by all my sibling’s names and cousins near my age. (Except when your parent/aunt/uncle are yelling then you run for it and don’t respond to any name)

7. You've got every type of person in your family

Since you have so many cousins every single one of you is different and brings something different to the table. Some are artistic, or sporty, or a talented singer, or hard worker, or really funny. But each one is an individual and brings something different to the table.

8. There is always some kind of family drama

Whether it's who has a new boyfriend or if someone is getting married or pregnant there is always something crazy going on.

9. Holidays are the best time of the year

Holidays together are the best time of the year. All the college kids are home and finally reunited after a long semester apart. You all share and hear wild stories from college. Also you get to see all your little cousins (who are the absolute cutest). You get to catch up with your older cousins and all your aunts and uncles who really care about how your last semester went and truly missed you. Also the family traditions are the best, whether it is the family flag football game, or the Christmas grab bag the memories made there will last you a lifetime.

10. Although they might drive you crazy, there is nothing else like family

At the end of the day no one else has your back and loves you like your family does. They are there to pick you up when you’re down or to congratulate you when something great happens to you. There is no one else that loves and cares for you like family.

Family really means everything.