Family...

Most commonly known as a relationship between people who share the same blood. But family can be so much more. Family to me is a bond shared between people who love each other regardless of their pasts and troubled souls. Family is always being there, and never leaving them to fend for themselves. Family is innocent and pure love and respect for another individual.

Family is the strongest bond you can have. And your family does not have to include your biological relatives. The title "family" is given to those who have earned it, who have proven all your doubts to be wrong, and have been there to pick you up, dust you off, and remind you what an amazing person you are.

I have few very close friends, yet the close friends that I do have I consider my family. I have known them for the vast majority of my life, and we have been through everything together, and they have willingly stayed by my side. They have made me feel special and like I am worth so much more than I once thought. They look out for me, and if that does not qualify them to be a member of my family, than I do not know what possibly could.

They have been my shoulder to cry on when I could not possibly formulate words to say to my parents, they have given me advice, even if it was brutally honest, they have embraced my flaws and my issues and taken it on themselves to help me get better. And for that, I am eternally grateful.

They make me happy, but more importantly they make me feel whole. They make me understand what love should look and feel like, they make me feel safe and free to be myself. We act silly, play silly games, and act stupid whenever we are around each other. But we also can hold serious conversations. We can talk about life, fears of ours, as well as dreams and plans we have for the future. We can pour ourselves out to each other, and know that it will be kept it a secret, safe from the public eye. We can be weird and make jokes and act like lovers of one another without it being uncomfortable.

We can share a twin sized bed just to make sure we both sleep well, we can hold each other and give one another cheek kisses and say we love each other. We can act like losers together, we can confide in each other, and we can be who we are around each other because we are family. We truly do love each other, we are always looking for their best interests, and making sure they are doing well in life, school, and work. We do this not because we feel obligated to do so, but rather because we could not stand to see something happen to one another.

So blood may be thicker than water, but water sure is sweeter. And I am thankful for that, for I would not have made it this far in life without my friends who became my family.

Yours Truly,

Your Best Friend.