DtMF- Bad Bunny

A lot of bad bunny recently, it is Hispanic Heritage Month so maybe my Latina side is really feeling it. Any way, a big part of my life has always been my family. I have always been attached to my family. Tried my best to keep the values and traditions close to my heart. I take so much pride in the people I come from. I feel so connected to every women that has come before me.

Recently, as mentioned an ungodly amount of times before, I have experienced a lot of change. Moving back home bing one of them. Knowing what I know now I am so extremely thankful for having a home to go back to. I know that is a rare luxury. At the time I felt so defeated, felt like I was pushed back a million steps after trying so hard to get where I was (plot twist I wasn't in a good place anyway). Since the time I was little I've always wanted to skip steps and do things long before I was ready. Moving back home has been the best "set back" I have ever experienced

I am a strong believer in things happen for a reason. And man did this happen for a reason. For many reasons actually. Of course being around my family has healed me in a million and half ways. Waking up and getting the best hug from my dad in the kitchen before heading to work. Talking to my mom while she's in the shower. Going to McDonalds and screaming Hamilton at midnight with my little sister. I didn't know how much I missed these things. It makes so much sense. When I was trying to become this adult and find out who Andrea was, I thought I would find that out in the world, which is half true but Ive found it most at home. With the people who know me more than I know myself. Let me take a minute to shamelessly call out my family.

My father has always been my biggest cheerleader. Even when I was 16 and hit a mailbox with my car because I was putting on lipgloss, sorry dad, my dad has been the most reasonable and collected person in my life. He has grabbed my hand and moved mountains for me, and also showed me how to move them and helped me practice moving them and has watched me move them until I got it right. No mountain range in this world is too big for his girls and he makes sure the world knows it. My mother is my heart. Now she has grabbed me by the collar for my own good but we laugh about it now. Not only do I have her face but so many of her beautiful characteristics as well. I always joke that I had a "naked mom" growing up and while thats true in its actuality, I mean it in a way that she is the most confident person in this world. Every room Ms Tameka walks in is immediately hers. As it should be. I hope I can be half the woman she is. And lets not forget miss Ana. My little sister has always had more wisdom than me. Part of me thinks that she is an old family member reincarnated because at 18 there was no way I was as calm as she is. Nothing ever seems wrong with the world when I'm with my little sister. I will forever be thankful for my homecoming queen. I have grown more in two months with them than I ever have. And i am forever thankful.

Now outside of all the mushy I love my family poetry, there is such a breath of fresh air in moving back home. I don't ever want to take for granted my family. Again. There is so much i regret in the past few years but letting things take me away from my family is the biggest one.

Of course my extended family has just as much meaning to me. I grew up around mostly women. Badass women. Full of power, wisdom, knowledge and femininity. These women have built from the ground up and have experienced things I cannot comprehend. My grandmothers, all my aunts, cousins and everyone in between, have had such an impact on who I am. Its funny writing this because in my past relationship I would always say "I don't come from weak women" when talking about being submissive and obedient to a man. Now, I say this referring to a degrading kind of submissiveness not a biblical or even respectful way. I come from women that have and still do put disrespectful ass men in their place. Towards the end of that I would always think to myself "I wonder how they would handle this" and not to sound crazy but my auntie did put a pistol to a mans nose once. I don't ever want to loose my self to a point where I cant hear them tell me anything.

Also, I bet that felt great. Way to go auntie. Bring back beating disrespectful men with frying pans am I right? No? Too much ? Okay. Sorry still working though the anger phase. Back to the important things.

There is one women I miss more than anything and throughout this whole process she has come and shown me that she's with me. As much as I want her back, I know we made the best memories with the time we had. And every day that a red bird crosses my path, will be an amazing day.

All that too say is I come from to much greatness to not act like it. I cant wait to spend more time with my family and make up for lost time. One of the biggest things I want to do is spend more time with my family. I dread the day I loose another person in my family but I know thats one of the inevitable shitty parts of life. I want to make sure I have all of the pictures and videos and voice recordings and memories.

From my parents and little sister to everyone in between, I have so much to be thankful for. Being back home and back with my family has grown my smile more than anything. It doesn't take much for my family to bring me back to me and I'll never forget that again.

Give your family or friends a nice thank you text or call someone you haven't talked to in a while. With that, thank you for reading with me, as always suggestions and notes are always welcome!

Andrea <3