Friends who become Family

It's amazing what people can mean to you, even when they're not "family." One of my little sisters is heading off to college tomorrow and it's so weird. This is the same girl who's basketball games I would attend when she was in 8th grade. (Side note, she was a premier basketball player, but she blew her knee out in an AAU tournament in 8th grade. During rehab, she began to row, and the rest is history... still in the making!) 

It seems like just yesterday I was losing my voice rooting for her 8th grade basketball team. Now, I'm trying to give her advice, courage and confidence as she heads to Charlottesville to experience the best four years of her life. Through tough work and perseverance, Janey has garnered a scholarship to college and will be on the Crew team. Knowing that Janey will be a part of a team is SO reassuring to me because I don't know what I would have done without my teammates during college. Teammates are your family at college.

This past week, Jane and I went out to dinner at Detroit's Green Dots Stable (which was delicious). Afterwards, we bought lotto tickets as it was on my 101 list to do in 1001 days. After I lost a whopping $4 on my lotto tickets, we went back to Janey's house. I did not leave Janey's house until 10:30 -  Janey left at 10:00. Seriously, it's amazing how friends turn into family, and how their families turn into friends, family, mentors, role models, etc. 

I come from a small family, but I've always gravitated towards friends with larger families, or at least families who have the same type of "doors always open" mantra. I guess I've always gravitated towards teams that have a lot of participants too! Every Sunday my mom cooks Sunday Night Dinner for our family and for my brother's God-Father, who has turned into our Uncle Bell. Every Sunday I extend the invite to friends, coaches from St. Clare, Bell's former students, etc. I want nothing more in life than to be happy, and I do this by surrounding myself with families and friends who are good people, great role models and full of love. 

The support Janey's family has given me is remarkable, but I just hope I can give their daughter (I mean my sister) a percentage of that same support in return. 

Here's to you, Jane, the world is your oyster. 

xx

P.S. Janey isn't my only "sister"... :)