My Friends Are My Family

My entire life I have been preached at that family is forever. That family is the most important thing in the entire world. Family will always be there, no matter what. But the amount of times something is said does not equate to its truth in any way, shape, or form. 

My family is trickier than that. Even the relationships that look comfortable on the outside are devastatingly difficult to navigate. My family has never been there for me when I needed them most. No matter how many times I have tried to open up about any topic, I find I am always shut down and let down by the people I have been told I should always be able to count on. 

So who can I count on? My friends. My friends are some of the best things that have ever happened to me. They are the funniest, most forgiving, most supportive, most open minded, kind, considerate people I have ever known.  I truly cannot grasp how amazing they are and how lucky I am to know them. They are everything I am told family is supposed to be. That’s why my friends are my family.

I understand that family is important and those bonds and relationships should be nurtured and looked after, but I feel like that’s only applicable in situations where there is love & safety. Throughout the years I’ve come to prioritize relationships built on safety and around love. Most of these relationships are my friendships.

The thing with family is that you don’t get to choose them. When you’re plopped onto this planet you’re given a family. What sucks is that no matter what you feel indebted to them because they’re your blood. No one should feel indebted to surround themselves with people who do not value them the way they deserve to be valued. We should strive to surround ourselves with people who care. Who push us in the right directions and broaden our views of the world. Who show us empathy and patience and love that doesn’t stem from just blood, but from an unconditional force between two people. 

So basically this is a friend appreciation essay. I love you guys so much more than I will ever be able to express. Also a shoutout to all of my friends who I don’t have as many photos of, I love you all so much too. 

Don’t feel bad for choosing your friends over your family ever. Your friends should be just as important as your family. You deserve the right to choose who you surround yourself with and you shouldn’t feel indebted to anyone just because they’re related to you. That's the wonderful thing about relationships, even familial ones, you can start them and you can end them however you please.