Does someone who has betrayed your trust deserve to be called family? Does someone who has been remiss in their responsibilities to you deserve to be called family? Does the person who has hurt you the most in life deserve to be called family? Just because someone gave you life, does that mean they deserve to be called family? Are DNA and a last name the only things that make a family, despite years of trauma and anguish? I learned very young that even though society might consider these people your family, they don’t have to be. Our families should be made up of people we trust, people who support us, people who love us unconditionally, and people who don’t put us through years of pain because they wouldn’t get help. You shouldn’t have to put up with unacceptable behavior just because you are related to someone, even if that person gave you life. You choose who your family is, whether that is made up of people you are genetically related to or not, that is still your family. We unfortunately can’t control the “families” we are born into, but throughout life we can choose who makes up our family. I believe the people who make you feel loved, safe, and appreciated deserve to be called family.

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