Family

Throughout my life there have been people in and out of my “family,” but it all leads up to where we are today. Today, my family consists of my mother, her boyfriend, and my brother. But it wasn’t always this way. Ever since I was little people have come and gone.

It starts with my father. My mother and he got married a few days before I was born. They separated around the time I was in kindergarten. I would visit him at his new girlfriend’s house on and off until I was about twelve. The visits seemed to get further apart, starting off every other weekend and ending up to about once a month. I eventually began to not care whether I got to see him or not. I loved being with my mom. I eventually told her that I didn’t want to go visit anymore and she respected my decision. I am still close to his side of the family and they understand that I do not want to be around him as well.

Around the age of thirteen, my mom had begun dating someone new. This was a major change because I was always an only child; however, I liked to share and play with other kids, but he had three kids. This was a really drastic change for me; I had gone from just my mom and me, to having three siblings. My room had been revamped from having my single bed and two TV’s, to two sets of bunk beds and that’s about all that fit. For awhile, I enjoyed the fact that I had people to hang out with whenever and also to help me clean. But this is when I started doing chores more routinely. I used to help my mom whenever she asked, but now with four other people in the house, I had to help way more. I grew tired of not having my own privacy and started to develop more of an attitude. My mom and this boyfriend were together for a few years before breaking it off.

Towards the end of my eighth grade year, my mom started dating her current boyfriend whom I get along with great. My mom and him have been dating ever since. At first, I was a bit skeptical of him but we eventually got along really well. When I would see the way he could make my mom laugh, it made me really happy that she finally was genuinely happy. Although they both have strong personalities, they challenge each other often, which I think is good for a healthy relationship. Almost a year ago we were blessed with my little brother. He has brought us much closer and I love them all to death.

Although, “family” was often an obscure word, I think I have finally found the balance and realize my true family. I can’t wait to start my own family some day!