Every one of my friends, or any teenager that I know, would be terrified to walk into their first day of high school holding their parent’s hands. But honestly, I wouldn’t. I’ve done it before, and I wouldn’t be afraid to again. Shoot, I remember one day my mom had brought me to school and walked me to my first period and left after I had walked into the classroom. I practically ran to catch up with her, just so I could give her a hug goodbye. I put my family before anything, because no matter what, my family is going to be my number one supporter, and they’re all that matters.

When I was in 6th grade, I knew this girl named Phoebe. Everyone that knew her would call her Phoebers because she had these big chubby cheeks that were always so red. She and I were extremely close friends; we did everything together. If we weren’t at her house, we’d be at mine, and if we weren’t at one another’s house, we were talking, or texting.  She was the most caring, sweet, and loyal friend. And when I lost her to stupid middle school drama, everything changed. We never talked, she barely even acknowledged I was there, and that really hurt me… Everyone but my family left me, and I feel like that’s when I realized that not everybody stays by your side, but your family does. I realized that I’m always going to have my family when I need them, and that means the most to me.

All throughout Middle school and High School, I always had a hard time understanding what I was learning in math, science, and History. My aunt Leah and my aunt Taylor would always take a few hours out of their day to actually sit down and help me with what I was learning. They would teach me easier ways to understand the equation, or question. They would help me when it came to school because both of them knew that I was doing my best and it was just hard for me to learn things the way they were being taught. Taylor and Leah always, always, always helped me. And that’s what I appreciate about my aunts the most; when I’m struggling, I know they’ll always be there to help me. I don’t think I would have gotten to where I am now, without them.

Two months ago, my grandpa had called me right after I had gotten off work, telling me just how much he missed me. He asked me how my day was, and what I did, and how I was doing, I could hear the smile in his voice and I knew he was genuinely happy to hear my voice. That made so happy to know he was just randomly thinking about me.  I’ve always looked up to him, and he’s always been my hero. Whenever I needed him, he was just a phone call, or a text away, and he made sure I knew that. He’s taught me how to cook all these different things, including his secret potato salad/egg salad. (I’m the only one who he’s actually taught how to make it.) I don’t think I could do any of this without him, he’s always pushed me to succeed, and I couldn’t thank him enough.

All of these things have become a part of me realizing just how much I need my family. All of these people in my life are me in one. And with my mom being so young when having me, they all raised me, they all have made me who I am today, and I couldn’t be more proud.  They’re my home, each and every one of them. So yeah, sure. They all may be weirdos, but they’re my weirdos, and I love them to the moon and back. I could care less if I had nobody but them. They’re all my best friends, and I know that they’re always going to support me, through everything. I couldn’t do any of this without them.