Rain Brings Memories: My Extremely Extended Family

I am an only child.

Growing up, I always wanted a little brother and would even go so far as to ask both my parents and Santa for one for Christmas. While that never happened and I remained an only child, I have been extremely blessed to find two young friends that have become my adopted brothers and to have a cousin who is also like a little brother to me. Furthermore, I have also been blessed with a couple of my married friends who have chosen to take me under their wings as their "little sister."

What I really love about them is that my relationship with each is radically different, and yet they all have the same status in terms of my extended family. One will go on beach walks and cuddle and play guitar and write songs with me. Another will get me to watch football and make me help move brush around at his house and play with his dog. Yet another plays geeky card games with me. One is my "partying" brother, but is also my boss and my mentor and my personal bad-joke-teller. And the last gets me interested in extreme sports (sea kayaking, mountain biking, etc.) and has a similar love for scotch as I do. The one factor that ties them all together is the ability I have with each of them to be honest and have a deep conversation when we want to. And this is something I value above all.

I honestly cannot imagine my life without them. While we may not always be in the same area (between my NB life and world traveling and the one who lives in SK), and while we may not talk all the time, I know that they always have my back just as I always have theirs. I love them all dearly and I am deeply grateful for their presence in my life.

So to the five of you (and you know who you are):

I love you. Thank you for everything. You mean the world to me. Let's talk more.