Growing up as part of an Italian family was one of the best things you could experience. Between the food and the games and the memories, you often get nostalgic thinking back on your childhood. If you grew up as part of a crazy Italian family, I'm sure you'll find many things on this list you can relate to.

1. Sunday dinners began at lunchtime.

2. You have a lot of people in your family with the same name.

3. You had food shoved down your throat on the regular.

4. Your family is probably more populous than your neighborhood.

5. You had a garden in the backyard.

6. You know curse words in Italian, or slang curse words.

7. The house was never quiet.

8. You ate pasta at least three times a week.

9. You can name about a million different types of pasta.

10. You talk with your hands, and everyone makes fun of you for it.

11. Your grandma continued to cook even though she just put food on the table.

12. You’ve heard the Ellis Island stories many times.

13. You feared the wooden spoon.

14. You lived off San Pellegrino.

15. You’ve never tasted jarred sauce.

16. Take-out for dinner didn't exist.

17. Your grandma says gravy but you probably say sauce.

18. Dessert is better than dinner on Christmas.

19. You wore a cross around your neck, and you probably got it as a gift for your Communion or Confirmation.

20. One serving for you equals about three servings for non-Italians.

21. Your last name has been mispronounced more than it has been properly pronounced.

22. You wait for the local Italian feast every year.

23. Your parents and grandparents worry about the littlest things.

24. Your grandma always slipped you a 20 on the way out.

25. You dip your Italian bread in the extra sauce.

26. You’re proud of your Italian heritage and you make sure everyone knows that.

27. You wouldn’t trade your family for the world.