Family isn’t just about people who share the same blood or last name anymore — it’s about the people who care for each other and make you feel at home.

Festivals are fun — lights, food, laughter — but also a little stressful, right? You meet everyone in The Family: the ones who talk nonstop, the quiet ones, the funny ones, the bossy ones. There’s love, silly fights, too much food, and not enough sleep. That’s what being family has always been like.

But what’s changing — and in a good way — is what the word family means. Long ago, people thought a family had to be a man, a woman, and their children. Now, we know there are many kinds of families. Some families have one parent. Some have two moms or two dads. Some couples don’t have kids at all. Some people live with step-siblings, or grandparents, or even close friends who feel like family.

There’s also something called a chosen family — people you pick because they love and support you, even if you aren’t related. Many people, like those who move away from home or belong to different communities, build these chosen families.

The Covid years reminded everyone how important it is to have people who care for you — whether or not they share your last name. So this festival season, remember: family isn’t just who you’re born to. It’s anyone who makes you feel safe, loved, and like you belong.

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