My family drives me crazy and they don’t understand me. After 30 years, it’s the same arguments, judgements, and eye rolls, and although we can laugh at it, it does put a damper on the vibe sometimes. This apple fell far from the tree. I know it. They know. It happens. Not to say they don’t support me and my crazy lifestyle, but I know that there is some judgement and confusion as to why I am the way I am. Truth be told, I stopped worrying about it 8 years ago and continue dance to my own drum without apologies. It’s my life to live and I can’t be concerned with making my family happy. I live to make me happy. Period. End of story.

I have a wonderful, supportive group of friends that have become my chosen family. We get what we need from each other, whether it be a shoulder to cry on, someone to snap us back to reality when we’ve been acting foolish, a person to bounce ideas off of, and cheerleaders whenever we need someone to rally for us. I call these types of friends my “chosen family”. They are my sisters from another mister, my brothers from another mother, but most importantly… they’re the people I need in my bubble and I’m the person they need in their corner.

I always tell people to surround themselves with the people that raise them up, that are doing great things, people who are positive, sincere, and goal oriented. We do not get to choose what families we are born into, but we do get to choose other people that come into our lives, so choose wisely. Don’t just have friends; make a family. I sometimes think that these bonds are what get us through our darkest days and support us through hour highest highs. My friends are so much more than a group of people to grab dinner or coffee with. They fill gaps in my heart and mind that my real family cannot, but I don’t necessarily see that as a bad thing.

For the apples that fell far from the tree, a chosen family is not just important, it’s a necessity.

This #BloggersTalkingAbout series features amazing bloggers writing from the heart. Continue reading more by following these links. #BloggersTalkingAbout Friendship by Joanne, Friendships by Jenny, The Importance Of A Chosen Family by Nicole and Why You Need an Accountability Buddy by Alicia. If you’re a mom/female blogger, join us in our group, Bodacious Bloggers.