{family}

it's days like today that remind me of what love really looks like. days spent with family.

growing up i thought of family as a mom and a dad, with older/younger brothers and sisters. family was the group of people that lived in your house, that you were related to through blood, marriage or adoption. today my view on family is a little different. today i sat at a dinner table with my family where no one to either side of me or across from me was biologically related to me, but they were and are my family. today my family is the people i love. and the people that love me back. they are the ones on the sidelines of my life cheering me on and lending a helping hand when needed. they are the ones that i know will always be there no matter what.

tonight i spent the evening with my family. sitting at the table with those women was the best part of summer so far. i left on a cloud and even still feel completely full. full of love and belonging. as i sit and reflect on my amazing day and evening i realize this is what love really looks like. those women are the best example of what love is. i used to think love was between two people, that it was for the lucky that could really find the love of their lives, that it was what a mother felt for her children... but it is soo much more. love is what connects us all. love is what gives each of us purpose and freedom. love is what makes a family. without love these people in my life would be nothing but people.

i really could not ask for much more. and right now i do not feel like i need anything more. i have a family, more than one even. i have people in my life that mean the world to me. people that i cherish with all my heart. people that are truly blessings sent from God. a family, as simple as it may seem is spectacular and tonight i am very thankful for the family i have received. i have a family, a family built on love.

someone said to me the other day and it is so true- home isn't where a house is it is where your family is. tonight i was at home.