You are born into a family. You do not join them like you do the Marines!

Spending time with my family is the best. I love getting together and just talking, reminiscing about vacations we've taken together, plays we've been in, or just experiences we've had. I can be myself and I don't have to worry about the consequences when I'm with them. I know that my name is safe in their mouths.

There's a safe feeling with family. Anything I do will be safe in my home and in their hearts. There's also a warm feeling of acceptance. I know that whatever happens there stays there. If I do anything stupid (which is surprisingly frequent), my family doesn't really care. We can have a good laugh about it, but it's not like they're going to use it as blackmail or anything.

We understand each other really well. When I'm with a group of people that really understand me, it's easier to express my feelings. We love talking about things that have happened to us and sharing stories we have of each other. Since I'm the oldest granddaughter, my uncles and my grandpa are always kinda protective of me. It's great.

The memories that we have together as a family are never going to go away, and that's the best thing. Friends change, you grow apart, or they move away, but with your family, you know that they're always going to be there for you.