Family, a word that is frequently used with the word love. You love your family. Your family loves you. So, family is a word just as loaded as the word love. Sure there are the people that are clearly your family. Your mom, dad, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. but then there are the people that aren't blood, but yes, are family.

In my family, I have many aunts, cousins, siblings, etc. that are not blood-related to me. But that doesn't even matter. All that matters is that they are family.

Family means that they love unconditionally. They support you through your ups and downs, hard times, and celebrations. You could have people that are blood-related to you that will not be there for you. And that is their loss. But then you will have those friends that would do anything for you no matter what. That is what family is.

Recently I have found a connection between me and my mother. We make our friends into family. Her best friend, who she has known since kindergarten has also been my "Aunt Julie." They have been sisters for about 50 years now (sorry Mom! At least I didn't say your exact age!). They live about 14 hours from each other, but are still just as close. They are there for each other through everything and anything. They are each other's rocks. Her girls and my siblings and I grew up as cousins who also act like siblings when together. When Mom and Aunt Julie are together, us girls usually question their sanity and ability to cooperate in public, but it's a bond that can't be broken and is truly beautiful to be a part of.

Growing up, I always dreamed of having a best friend like that. Sure, I have two wonderful older sisters, but they are a lot older than me who also have best friends that they have known forever. I never got as lucky as them to find one in kindergarten to last forever. However, I still got lucky.

Freshman year of college. I'm in a small town in a new state. I know a total of two people at this school. I decide to go through Greek Life. Standing in line ready for our first Recruitment event, a girl compliments me on my outfit. Being polite, yet nervous, I compliment her back on hers. I learn that her name is Katie and she learns mine is Jen. After talking, we realize we got our outfits at the same store and we both share a love for this store. We see each other the following days and end up being in the same house, Chi Omega.

Throughout our freshman year, Katie and I grew closer and closer together. I visited her hometown with her, we went on adventures, backroad drives, sonic trips, etc. Sure we had our immature drama but we made it through, still as best friends.

Sophomore year comes around and Katie and I start off just as close as we always were. Through the first semester we broke apart a little more. Not completely, but a small amount. Christmas vacation ends, I came back to school and Katie did not. I didn't know what to do for a couple months. But then I reached out to her and we were back to normal.

A year and a half of her not being at school has been hard. However, we have grown even closer. Countless visits to her town, phone calls, and of course, text messages.

Throughout all of this we have realized that we are not just best friends anymore. We have grown to be family. We are sisters. Her family always welcomes me with loving arms. And my family does the same.

Katie knows that I will do anything for her and her family. They come first because they are family. I am excited to take on this whole "adulting" thing on with my sidekick and other half. Sure we will struggle but we will always have each other to hold each other up. I cannot wait for us to be bridesmaids in each other's weddings, our husbands to be best friends, our children to grow up together, to be her children's "Aunt Jen," and for my children to be so lucky to call her "Aunt Katie."

I may not have met her in kindergarten, but sometimes when we are together we act as if we are in kindergarten. No, she isn't blood-related to me, but Katie is still my family. She's my person.

As Stitch says; "Ohana means family, family means that nobody gets left behind or forgotten." So look around you and see who loves you unconditionally and who never leaves you behind; who will never forget about you. That is your family.

SIDE NOTE: To all of my family, best friends and blood related. I love you all! You all have a very special place in my heart. I would do anything for any of you. I love my unique family!