i couldn't ask for more

and then there are days when i am just in awe of how lucky i am to have my family. in the eight months i have lived here, closer to my grandma, uncles, aunts, and cousins, i have witnessed genuine love. familial, unconditional love. its when uncle caleb takes me to dollar general and declares "there is something in this store that we cannot live without. now lets find it!" its how uncle charley totally fixed my truck up and wouldn't charge me a cent. its in the bag of homemade brownies aunt melinda brings me "just because." its aunt jen reiterating to me that if i am ever in any trouble in school, call her. she will come get me no matter what time it is. she would rather drive to pick up a drunk amie than a dead amie. its in the fact that i can tell grandma sandra absolutely anything, and she gets me. its in the deep and meaningful conversations i have with uncle aaron about love and life and papa tom. its the way duane and michelle are together, imperfectly perfect. its how michelle and i can talk about the most personal things, any time, any place. (yes, we discussed baby-making in church one day). and, finally, its in every tackle, hug, kiss, 'knucks', high five, smile, and "i love you" between me and my boys, alec and ronan. though i'll only be an hour away, i am really going to miss seeing them almost everyday. but i know that my family is there for me. forever. no matter what. and i love that.