If you were to go back in time to the United States of America in the 1950s, you would see one family style. A father, a mother, and children would sit around a table and enjoy a nice meal together at the end of the day. Divorce was not socially accepted. According to fiftiesweb.com, the average age for a women to be married in the 1950s was 20.3 years old, and 22.8 years old for men. Today, there’s no such thing as one typical family style. I am that walking proof.
Born on Nov. 15, 1995, I came into this world surrounded by a loving, but not your typical family. My mother was 19 when she had me, and my father was 22. They dated for a while, but the relationship, like many young relationships, did not work out. I don’t recall much of the time that they were together but, I believe that it’s for the best that they aren’t together today. Normally, when you speak to someone whose parents aren’t together, you hear a lot of anger and anguish in their voice because their parents do not get along. For me, it’s extremely different. In fact, my parents are completely opposite. They made it their goal to raise me as a team and to always do what is best for me in my life. They have far exceeded their goal. My mom often uses the term “Team Brittany” to describe how they work as a team to make me happy and watch me be as successful as possible even though they are not together today.
My parents are my world. Over the years, they have gone from being my loving parents to my role models, my friends and my rocks. They listen to me, give me great advice, and support me and every journey I decide to take. Although our family is unusual, they have brought the people that mean the most to me into my world.
Step-Parents
16 years ago, my mother introduced my brother and me to a wonderful man and I knew our lives would be changed forever. Brian Grobelny, my amazing, hardworking, hilarious, and loving step-father, has done nothing but make our world a better place to be. Although he makes my brother and me extremely happy, the best thing that he could have ever done was make my mother happy, and he has exceeded his expectations.
One of the qualities that I admire most about Brian is his relationship with my father. My dad and Brian have always had a level of respect for each other that is often not seen between a father and a step-father. They have always worked as members of “Team Brittany,” making my life easier by getting along and supporting me in everything I do. Never overstepping boundaries, Brian has taken the role as step-father very seriously by always providing me with the necessities to live, and the things that he knew would make me happy. Brian has been an absolute blessing to my family, my world would not be the same without him.
Growing up as a “daddy’s girl,” I would never have thought that I could love my step-mother as much as I do. Marie came into my life 10 years ago, and has made every day better by being apart of my life. Marie is an amazing mother, and everything she does for my dad and our family does not go unnoticed. Marie makes our world a beautiful place to be. It’s safe to say, I owe my dad a big thank you for bringing Marie into my life.
Similar to my dad and Brian’s relationship, Marie and my mom have also a relationship that is not often seen. They work together to make my life as perfect as it could possibly be. They are more than just acquaintances, and there are never any fake smiles towards each other. They have really pulled off working together and bringing my big crazy family together. Another crucial member of “Team Brittany.”
Brothers
David Richard Eife, born on Aug. 17, 1998, has been my partner in crime since the day he was born. My mom had David with an amazing man named Dave. Dave, although not my own father, has always treated and loved me as if I was his own. Every Christmas I was spoiled by him, every birthday I was always reminded how much he loves me. On my 21st birthday, I was blessed to be able to celebrate with Dave, David, Dave’s wife Bev, and her daughter, Britny. Although we are all not related by blood like David and I are, they are and will always be a part of my family.
David has become my absolute best friend in this world. He supports me, encourages me, tells me when I’m wrong, and NEVER fails to make me laugh. At the end of the day, he always says I love you and I cannot be more thankful for the relationship that we have. The saying “Because I have a brother, I’ll always have a friend,” could not be more true.
Kevin Patrick O’Donnell came into my life a little bit later on. 10 years ago, my father married my wonderful step-mother, Marie. Kevin was born to Marie in her previous marriage before my father with her ex-husband. Kevin and I, like a lot of step siblings, did not have the best relationship at first. As we got older, we grew closer and now have an inseparable bond. He makes me laugh like no other, and I always know he will be there to support me. He is kind, he is extremely smart and I admire so many qualities that he possesses. I am so thankful that Kevin was brought into my life.
Then came Jack Matthew Smith. Jack was born to my father and my step-mother 6 years ago, and my life hasn’t been the same since. Jack is our ray of sunshine. Not only is he loved by my dad, my step-mom, and our brother Kevin, but my mother, my step-father and my brother, David, absolutely adore him. For being 6 years old, Jack is the toughest, the sweetest, most loving child I have ever met. When something gets me down or I’m having a bad day, a hug from Jack is all it takes to cheer me up. Everyone that knows him will agree with that.
My brothers, all from different parts of my family, are the best parts of me. The relationship I have with all three of them are so unique in their own ways, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
Family
In the world that we live in today, more than half the families do not meet the definition of a nuclear family. There are step-families, single-parent families, families that are lead by two unmarried partners, adoptive and foster families and families that are lead by grandparents or other relatives. John Wooden once said, “The most important thing in the world is family and love.” No matter what type of family you have, it’s important to value that you have a family. Whether you have a crazy family like me, or a family that consists of a mother, father, and children, spend all the time that you can together. Sit back and listen to what each other are saying. Life goes by quickly, it’s so important to appreciate what you have been blessed with.
