One of the many things I love about my family is how easily we can connect and reconnect. Some of us can go weeks, even months without seeing each other and when we finally reunite it almost seems as if no time has passed. We just pick up right where we left off.

I’m reminded of this every time I get to hang out with my dad’s stepsister, “Aunt” Kelly. Even though I’ve known her for most of my life, I never really got to know her until a few years ago when she moved back to Kansas City from upstate New York.

In the almost four years that we’ve gotten to know each other, Kelly and I have grown extremely close and I’ll even say she’s one of my best friends. She and I have bonded over our love for the TV show FRIENDS, random adventures and just having a great time talking about whatever.

Like I’m sure a lot of you would agree, I think your friends should be there for you through the good times and the bad. I can easily say Kelly has been there for me, and not even just for the good and the bad, but also for the random moments in between, just like the last time we hung out.

Those random moments always remind me that we need to let loose every once in a while. When Kelly and I first met up that night, I had a lot on my mind. I typically have a lot on my plate since I work 20-30 hours every week on top of taking two college classes and currently being in the process for applying for about 30 scholarships, but finally being able to relax and hang out with someone who always brings out my fun side reminded me yet again, that everything will turn out fine and I’ll make it after all.

We hadn’t seen each other since Christmas, so one night a couple weeks back Kelly and I went downtown to one of our favorite spots, LuLu’s Thai Noodle Shop for dinner. We finally got a chance to catch up. Just like I said, it was as if no time had passed! For the past few weeks I had been really stressed out, so I was really looking forward to a stress-free evening.

After dinner, we decided to head back to Kelly’s house to bake cookies. Both during and after we made the cookies, we sat on her couch and watched one of my all time favorite movies, My Best Friend’s Wedding, which also happens to be one of her favorites too. The rest of the time shaped into a pretty great night. I’ll always be thankful for the time Kelly and I spend together because she’s always taught me to be myself, cherish each moment and that family really is forever.