In a campus as big as UK, we meet so many peers with different backgrounds. It is kind of like a culture shock. We are not in the little bubble we grew up in anymore and it can be kind of scary. So we all tend to tell these insane off the wall stories about our childhood. Everybody has a different opinion of what a crazy family is. Most of the time (actually all of the time) they end up describing their own family. I have a tendency to do the same thing and that is why I am writing an article all about my crazy wacky close family (who I know is reading. Hi guys!)
           I always thought it was such a normal thing being this close with my family. I never realized it until about my freshmen year of high school when others were talking about seeing their cousins for the first time in years that in fact it was not so much normal. I had just always been close to my mom’s side. I grew up with an endless supply of role models, partners in crime, friends and enablers. Everything was always (and still is) never quiet. The craziness never disappears, even a few states away. I still get Facetime requests from back home in the middle of a Harry Potter marathon (even though SOMEONE ended the call on purpose, I wouldn’t trade those Facetimes for anything).
           So, to all the Uncles out there, thanks for being there and being a tad overprotective. You guys take the term “crazy Uncles” to a new standard. (Yes, in the best way… some of the time) Thanks for making sure my car was always working right, even that car that lit up like a Christmas tree. Thanks for poking fun at the little things that drove me nuts and making bets with me you thought I wasn’t going to remember. (I deserved that $20 fair and square… Just saying!) Thank you for caring in your own way and choosing a bad (but good time) to make that joke. Also, who else would sit on a bench with all of our bags in the Happiest Place on Earth while we looked for Churros (which are not a meal!!) or went on rides?
           While my uncles usually started a storm of insanity, it was my aunts that took care of the mess after. Thank you for all the birthday cards of pugs in costumes with a very punny saying (One of my favorite parts of the holidays). Thank you for all the sleepovers, for playing Haunted Mansion Clue more times than any other game. Thank you for all that you all have done for me over the years (and letting me swim in the pool.) Thanks for being there and shaping who I am.
           Life is a bit easier with a few, or ten, cousins. I mean, without these loons, my childhood would’ve been quite boring and I would not have had anybody to drag to a Taylor Swift concert with me… Twice. (My mom thanks you.) Thanks for driving me back and forth from school to home and back again. I know the trip is long and can be boring (Which is why I am never falling asleep in the car. Partly in fear you will scare the crap out of me again.) Thanks for playing the parts of older and younger siblings (even before my brother was born). For being protective and caring for me. I will never leave my plate full of food unattended from now on in fear of most of it being gone by the time I get back. The game of spoons will never be the same without one of us hitting, stabbing, pinching and jumping across the table for a stainless steel utensil. It is probably a good thing a spoon league commissioner has been instated (Thanks Jackie)! Also, thank you for giving me the best 19th birthday party a girl could ask for… I mean free food, a chance to wear a dress/get my hair and makeup done, dance until my feet hurt and be able to spend my birthday with the ones I loved. You picked a great day to get married, if I do say so myself!
Finally, family is nothing without Grandparents. A special big thank you to the two responsible for all of us. You not only raised all those crazy uncles and my mom, but you helped give a place where all of us felt safe. Thank you for giving us all your love. Thank you for taking our side and being there. And thank you for shaping me as the person I am today.
           As a girl who has had more experience in big eccentric, really close families, my advice to you is good luck. They are all insane and you might not want to associate with them while they are “raising the roof” in public, but you still love and miss them (and all the craziness that comes with a weirdly close family).
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