10 Reasons why coming from a huge family is one of the best things about my life

Oftentimes people believe being one of twenty something first cousins means being lost in the shuffle, to me it just means I have twenty something more people who know exactly what Im feeling. My family is absolutely everything to me, and I’m sure many people can say that, but being born into this family is the reason I am who I am today. There are so many reasons why being surrounded by an abundance of people can be a hassle, but most of the time there are so many benefits the good outweighs the annoying.

1. You actually don’t have to make friends. Being born with a built in system of people who automatically have to love you. That means having twenty something people who are born having to appreciate me even when they hate me, and that’s better than a friend. And usually that means not having to make plans on the weekend because one of your cousins is probably doing something fun.
2. You always know when a guy/girl really likes you. Because honestly who wants to put up with the constant interrogation that is a Sunday night dinner as a new significant other if they don’t really like you.
3. When you dump someone, your entire family automatically dumps them too. Loyalty is a pro within this huge system. And if they don’t, they pretend to hate them along with you.
4. Your support system is made up of dozens of people who genuinely care about you. When you experience loss, you experience it together. When you experience death, you are all a unit and even though all of your hearts are broken, they are broken together. There are truly times that I would have never gotten through without my family, because they understood the same loss and were equally as broken. These people support you like no one else will, because no matter what you’re in it together.
5. The parties are insane. Weddings, holidays, birthdays and a Sunday night is more food, laughing and slide comments than your friends have ever had. Attending a huge families event is like being a member, you are automatically included because one of them invited you. Big families are the best to party with, because they don’t care about looking stupid, the dance moves are some of the best (worst) you will ever see and that is what makes it so awesome.
6. Let’s be real, one of your cousins/aunts/ uncles has messed up worse than you have. Someone in the family has done something way worse than the thing you thought your parents would be pissed at you for. Even if your parents act like it’s the end of the world, your grandma will remember when your dad did the exact same thing in high school GOTCHA Dad.
7. You have a better sense of humor because you were able to develop a thicker skin. You have developed a knack for understanding your family and their dry wit and sometimes obscene sense of humor even if it is based around your latest dating conquest from time to time.
8. People talk about you as though you’re infamous, Oh you’re one of the ____ insert family name here, I Know your aunt, uncle, mom, dad, grandfather, great uncle. Sometimes I truly think my family is like the Kardashians of Las Vegas, sagas included.
9. Your friends want to hangout with your family. Growing up every person I met was super curious if my family was a part of some weird cult or why we spent so much time together so they wanted to explore what that was about and never stopped coming. Having friends want to be around your family is the most fun.
10. There’s always someone who has been there before you. There is usually one person in your family who has tried a job, college major, or a city before you. Having a person who has forged a life you could be somewhat interested in is one of the best things. Being able to look for advice, recommendations on hotels, colleges and even the best bars in town is like a guidebook to life, without even paying for it.

And these ten things are what makes my family, and all large families the best. This is for my cousins, thank you for being the best people In my life even when you aren’t. I love you all and not just because you’re stuck with me!