Friends as Family

Michael works for Video Art Productions with the Tampa Bay Rowdies - as a camera man in the heat, rain, and noise from 2011-2013, and this year in the cool control room putting up graphics for the live feed. This year, Carla is a soccer fan, participating in all of the marvelous mayhem as a member of Ralph's Mob which urges the team to win. This year, they look for each other after the games, and sometimes they find one another - like they did this past Saturday. This picture says it all - two of my favorite people, with big, beautiful smiles, happy to be in each other's presence.

Carla has been "my baby" since she was born to my best friend, Rebecca. Becky knew I could not have kids, so Carla had two moms for the first few years of her life. Now, it's Aunt Courtenay, and that's okay. Becky is the best mother a kid could have, and I would never compete with her. Being an aunt means I can be her best friend and confidante when a mom might be too close to whatever situation needs perspective.

Carla probably knows this since she has been and will always be my first kid: I could not be prouder of all she does, all that she has done, and the person who she is today. In fact, before Michael and I could marry 33 years ago, she had to give her seal of approval. That she did, as they bonded over Smurfs in her Pinellas County home 34 years ago.  He's her Uncle Mike, and he loves her as much as I do.

Who is your family? Who do you love more than blood itself? All of us are born into a family, for better or worse, and whether or not we associate with family members becomes a decision we make as we age. Friends come into our lives at all times of our lives, and some become strangers due to time, distance, or other reasons. Some become extended family members. Though we are not bound by blood, we are bound by love, respect, and history. These family friends, too, will be with us until we leave this mortal plain - for better or worse!