You know me better than I know myself

I honestly look forward to thanksgiving every year for one reason. It is the time of year for me to see friends and family that I probably haven't seen all year. I love my family don't get me wrong, but sometimes the people you feel most comfortable with become your family. What I am trying to say is best represented in this quote from my new favorite TV show "The New Normal". "Family is who you choose. It's the relatives who are chosen for you."

I have tried to make a big effort to make time for my closest friends every holiday. These friends are the ones who know me the best. I definitely consider these people my family. I made up a word for the girls I coached to change their mentality about the word team. I started calling them Teamily to make them feel more like a family instead of just a team. This same word can be easily changed to Friemily (don't ask me how to pronounce it, it just looks good on paper) I have a little over a handful of friends that I turn to in my times of need. I feel at home with them, we could be anywhere in the world but I will never feel lost while in their presence.

I am also very thankful to see my relatives over thanksgiving. I don't see them but a few times a year so when I do get to see them I cherish my time with them. I have a few young children in my family so its a delight to see how they are growing, physically and emotionally. I love watching those children do something that reminds me of my grandparents, or seeing how much they look like their parents when they were that age. It's so soothing to see those little reminders of the people who are no longer with us. Even though they aren't here with us physically they are always around us in spirit.

Thanksgiving is also a time for reflection. We may not realize it but all we do when we get with great friends and family is reminisce about the past. When I am with my relatives I am always hearing funny stories about my parents from my aunts and uncles. When I am with my friends we are always talking about things in high school and college. It's never boring because of our memories. Those help us remember who we are and where we came from. They ground us and enlighten us. Those stories are what build families. Whether they are our blood or not. Just like the quote says, family is who you choose. Whether it be friends or relatives. Family is Family.