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It Takes a Village

Family can be defined so many ways. When you Google it, you get a wide range of definitions that are inclusive of that fact that way families look has changed over the years. Here are some of them:

  • a group of one or more parents and their children living together as a unit.
  • all the descendants of a common ancestor.
  • a group of people united in criminal activity.
  • a group of related things.
  • a group of curves or surfaces obtained by varying the value of a constant in the equation generating them.
  • designed to be suitable for children as well as adults
In my life, family has always been a complicated thing. There were the people I was related to by blood. The people I was related to by marriage. The people I am related to by law. The people I choose to have in my life. In the last few years, my family has changed significantly, and for the better.

Today is National Step Family Day. Although my son doesn't officially have any step parents, he is lucky to have 2 wonderful people in his life. His father's girlfriend joined our family quite some time ago. She has always been incredibly good to him. She treats him just like one of her own children and I couldn't ask for anything more. More recently, I began dating someone. He is kind and patient and caring, with me and with my son. They took to each other much more quickly than I expected. 

I have always been of the mind that it takes a village to raise a child. Seeing my son thrive over the last few months has really solidified that for me. In addition to his parents, he has a great counselor, a wonderful babysitter, and 2 bonus people that care for him. When school started, he gained an amazing teacher and a fabulous support person. I can't imagine there is a child anywhere in the world that is as loved as my son, and you can see it on his smiling face every day.

A special thank you to all of the people that are part of my son's family. You are the best village. I don't think that I could of dreamed up anything better!


Happy National Step Family Day! 




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