On Family: Oh, the technicalities

I have been absent for the last few weeks. Getting ready to graduate from undergrad (very weird sensation), and tons of other obstacles of life getting in the way. With each obstacle, I had support coming from every angle. Which led to me think about my last four years and how much things change each year. I started thinking about all the memories I've made with so many wonderful people, and then it made me think about my family.

Definition: (thanks Webster) there are actually several definitions; here are a few.
1 : a group of individuals living under one roof and usually under one head
2 a : a group of persons of common ancestry
5 a : the basic unit in society traditionally consisting of two parents rearing their children

If you know me even the slightest bit, you know that the people in my life that fall under this definition (Parents, Sister, Grandma, dogs :), etc) mean the world to me. Without them I wouldn't be who, or where, I am today. So thanks to them, and a big hats off for really being the most incredible people I could have the pleasure of knowing, let alone sharing genes with. However, this blog is not about them (sorry). This blog is about the people in my life that don't fall under these definitions. What about the people who have seen me through breakups, bad tests, this entire past year of challenges, and all the little snags along the way? What about the people who have listened to me, sometimes for hours, vent about what's going on in my day-to-day? What about the people that I can have fun with no matter the occasion, with whom I can be completely, 100% myself? Well, we may not share common ancestry, or parents, and I don't live with most of them, but boy have you important people been my family for the last four years in Athens. I am admittedly not always easy to be around, but you stick around. You watch me stress (as I inevitably do) about the little things, even though everyone tells me not to sweat the small stuff. You have seen me through the loss of the dearest of loved ones. And most of all, you have been yourselves. You have been open. You have been FUN: from craft fairs and flea markets, the dog park and long walks, vacations and staycations, study dates and wine dates, dinner parties and picnics, all the way to a quick chat on the phone that means more than you know. So, for those of you who are "undefinable" in more ways than one, I thank you for giving me, and sharing with me, the best years of my life. You have changed me for the better and helped me grow closer to the woman and friend I want to be. Cheers to my family, genetic and otherwise.