The Ever-Expanding Family Tree

"Friendship is unnessecary, like philosophy, like art. It has no survival value; rather, it is one of those things that give value to survival." -C.S. Lewis

I have always been one to consider my friends an extension of my family.

That mentality has become even stronger since I began college, especially this year. Being five hours from my parents and brother, when I have a bad day or something is wonky in my life, it often is my friends here at school that I turn to for advice, comfort, or distraction.

I am so blessed to have an amazing core group of friends that walks by my side and supports me here at school, day in and day out.

There are the ones that have been there since day one of freshman year. Bless you all, for sticking out the chaos of life with me (I am so sporadic and off-the-cuff sometimes...). Then there are the ones that have been in and out of my life due to uncontrolled circumstances, but at the end of the day are always there for me, and me for them. And thank the Lord for that--even with the occasional absences, they are some of the best friends I could ever have. And then there are the ones that are newer, but seem as though they have been there since the day I was born.

You all know who you are. You all know how much you mean to me. And I am so thankful for that.

It is my firm belief that family is not only the one that you were born into, but the one that you grow into. I will never take any of you (blood or not) for granted, but thank God every day that you are in my life and so amazing.

We've all been there through the good, the bad, and the ugly. We've learned from each other, grown with each other, laughed and cried with each other--life may not always be pretty, but at least we have each other through it all.

I love you all, and am so thankful for you. As we enter into this season of Thanksgiving, I urge anyone that reads this to go and tell someone that is in their "extended" family that they love appreciate them.