I grew up in a typical suburban neighborhood with my two brothers and sister. We spent summer days at the pool a block from our house—my mother would have to drag us home for lunch – and summer nights catching fireflies, playing statue maker or having sleepovers. In our neighborhood, everyone pretty much knew everyone and with four kids in my family, there were always other kids coming and going from our house. Now I have family all over the country—but we still manage to see each other a couple of times a year.
My single sister has one adopted daughter and is adopting another and I am head over heels in love with them. My brother has four great kids and my younger brother is a train conductor, who loves animals and is a tri-athlete. My mom and dad live in the southeast and my dad adopted my siblings and me when we were pre-school aged, so I know for sure that love is not limited to biological connections. I love my dad – he is, for sure, my dad.
I have numerous aunts, uncles and cousins who live in the area and I see them several times a year. Christmas Eve at my aunt and uncle’s house is a loud, fun and joyous tradition with lots of kids. Many of my cousins have children and I look forward to seeing my children grow up with theirs. One aunt and uncle adopted my cousin and they’ve been huge supporters of me adopting, which I very much appreciate. I come from a family of huggers, so hugs and kisses happen regularly!
