I come from a large Italian family, and it is very traditional. In Italian families often times you stay home until you're married, you ask the father for the daughter's hand in marriage, family dinners are sacred, and the grandparents are to be respected greatly. I wouldn't trade my family for the world, and if there's anything I've learned growing up following my heritage, it is that family comes before anything else. But I've also definitely learned these next few traditions, my favorite ones, which have come with amazing memories along the way...

If you miss family dinner on Sunday…

Good luck. You may as well text your five siblings hours before hand to avoid the flood of “Are you alive?” texts later that night. Yes, I am alive. I know I missed family dinner. I know you will be on my case nextSunday dinner so please don’t blow up my phone-it’s at 5% and I’m looking at pictures of puppies.

You know you’re in a serious relationship when…

They are invited to Sunday dinner. Yes, this is not only your final interview, but it’s also your initiation. I’m sorry my three year old niece is screaming in your ear. Don’t take it personally-that means she likes you. Yes, my two year old nephew is trying to ride the dog like a pony. Welcome to the family.

Your father makes marinara sauce and if you bring any type of jar home that is pre-made sauce, you may as well just go return it…

No, he will not tell you the recipe to his. He won’t even tell me the recipe. But that doesn’t allow you to buy some from the grocery store. The 6 frozen jars in the fridge are there to be thawed and used for all your pasta and pizza needs. Enjoy!

Yes, my grandmother just started speaking to me in Italian in front of you...

She's teaching you some swears, enjoy it. Use it. Embrace it.

If your siblings don’t agree to the marriage you’re basically screwed…

Don’t even bother asking my dad if you plan on marrying one of us and the other 5 siblings aren’t fans. He will ask if the others approve, and if they don’t, well at least you tried.

Our family is big, loud, and we will treat you like you're our own...

We’re still going to speak loudly if you’re 3 feet away. I am speaking to you. If I yell, you will know.

We talk with our hands, and for emphasis- and all that jazz.

Yes I just almost knocked over the vase. It is from the 1840’s and an original from Italy but I had to make my point. And I did, obviously.

We love one another to no end.

My siblings are my best friends. I wouldn’t trade them for anything, not even Dad’s recipe for his marinara sauce.