Hitting the Family Lottery

I grew up in a very loving and supportive household. My parents' relationship was the epitome of everything that I wanted for my marriage and future family someday. I always felt like the luckiest and happiest kid in the world. I had it all: loving parents, a great little sister, a home that I loved and more love and support than I ever could've imagined.

Admittedly, I've always been a pretty naive person and until recently, I was naive enough to believe that everybody grew up in a situation like I did. When I moved away from my parents, I started to try to make friends in my new area. As we were getting to know each other, we all discussed our pasts and the lives that we left behind. I was shocked to hear some of the things that they shared with me.

Some of them hadn't spoken to their parents in years and they didn't care to do so ever again. Some girls were beaten by their parents. Some were children of addicts that chose their addiction over their family. As I listened to everyone's stories, all I could think about was how sorry I was that they didn't have the same experiences that I had. Everyone deserved the same happiness that I felt growing up and it truly saddened me that everyone didn't get it. While I was talking to these girls, I truly realized just how lucky that I was.

I have strong relationships with both of my parents and being around all of these new people made me realize how truly special and rare that can be. I never took my family for granted but now, I definitely can say that I have an even deeper appreciation for them and the life that they gave my sister and I than I ever did before.

I remember seeing the way that my dad looked at my mom and wishing that one day, my husband would look at me that same way. I remember spending every Saturday at the park and every Sunday in the pool with my family. I remember being able to come to my parents with anything, no matter what. We had a connection and a bond that I can only hope and pray that I'll have with my children some day.

I miss my family more than words can say and even though I've moved away, I still do what I can to keep them involved in my life. It hurt me to hear my friends say that they never wanted to speak to their parents again. I can't imagine my life without my parents or even our (at least) 2 phone calls a week. Family is the most important thing in the world and it's never been something that I've taken lightly. But I am extremely grateful that I was one of the luckiest kids in the world.

My dad used to tell me that the one thing in life that is always constant is family. He told me that things come and go in life but at the end of the day, nobody could ever take away the fact that my sister and I were his kids and his family. I carry that knowledge with me every day and will treat my future family with the same respect and care that I was raised with. I know now that how I grew up, unfortunately, isn't everybodys' "normal" but I can tell you, that I'm so thankful that it was mine.

When it comes to families, I definitely hit the lottery.

I love you, Mom & Dad. Thanks for everything.

-Chelsea

Blog Challenge, Day 14: 10 Happy Things

So today's prompt is to make a list of ten things that make me happy. I had a really hard time narrowing my list down to ten things but here they are! They are in no particular order!

1. Disney!- Whether it is Disney World, Disney merchandise or Disney movies, anything with the word
"Disney" makes me smile!


2. Writing- It doesn't matter if it is blogging, poetry or story-telling, I just love any form of writing!



3. My family- There are no words to describe the happiness my family brings me.



4. Reading- I love losing myself in a book, getting lost in another person's thoughts and exploring another world that I didn't know existed.


5. Movie nights- I love curling up under a blanket with some ice cream and watching old movies on the couch during the weekends. It is my favorite way to relax and unwind.


6. Learning about weddings- I just love watching wedding shows and looking up unique weddings online. They are just days when everyone is happy and celebrating. I just love seeing large groups of people coming together for love.



7. Being an older sister- My little sister, Kelly, is one of my favorite people in the world. From the second that my mother told me she was pregnant, I was so excited for her arrival. I wanted to take care of that beautiful little baby girl and I wanted to be there for her. Sometimes I overstep my boundaries but I can't help it because I love her so much. She is my best friend. She makes me want to be a better person and she inspires me to be as confident and sure of myself as she is. She is the greatest gift that my parents ever got me. I would not trade being her older sister for anything in the world. She is my greatest adventure.



8. Picturing my life as a mom- I want to be a mom so badly and I keep thinking that one day, I will be as close with my kids as I am with my mom. I can't wait for that experience.



9. My dog- My dog, Zach, and I are very close. He sleeps next to me every night and he never leaves my side when I'm at home. He is so loving, friendly and cute that I can't not be happy when I see him.


Sorry, I had a really hard time finding a picture of my dog on my computer. Oh, well. I'll just keep his cuteness to myself. :)

10. Spieling Peter and Carebear Wendy- These people are otherwise known as Andrew and Hali Ducote. They played Wendy and Peter Pan at Disneyland and were high school sweethearts. Now, they are married and living their dream life. They inspire me with their love and they show that high school sweethearts can make it work. Also, the Peter Pan couple aspect of their relationship is the cutest thing that I've ever heard.