A Second Family!

Having a “second family” has been one of the greatest blessings I could ever receive. When you’re far from your biological family—especially in situations like the pandemic—you might expect loneliness, longing, or homesickness to overwhelm you. But thanks to people who welcomed me with open arms, I found comfort, care, and a sense of belonging that mitigated all that distance.

Back in 2020, when the pandemic hit, I moved in with this family. I stayed with them up until June 2024. Those years I spent under their roof weren’t just about physical shelter; they were about emotional support. Whenever there was a family occasion—birthdays, fiestas—no matter how big or small, they made sure I was included. If I couldn’t attend, they would feel hurt. It made me realize just how much I mattered to them.

Their kindness went far beyond just invitations. In the height of the pandemic, when I was barely working—only about three days a week—I couldn’t even manage to pay rent. They didn’t make me pay for five months. And during those days, they made sure I had food. Not just scraps or leftovers—real meals, as though I were just another member of their household.

This is Aunt Edna—who became a mother figure to me. She would check on my room: Is it clean? Am I okay? Do I have enough food? Do I need anything? Sometimes she’d just buy groceries and include me. Her care was not conditional; it came from a place of love and genuine concern. I often reflect and think how blessed I was to have stayed with them during such uncertain times.

Of course, eventually I had to leave. My work changed location, and commuting became more and more difficult. The cost—both in money and time—became too much. So even though I didn’t want to, I made the hard decision to move. Leaving them was painful because we had grown so close.

But distance didn’t break what we built. We still keep in touch. I’m still invited to their fiestas, to their birthdays. The welcome is always there, the connection remains. And recently, we got together again. We went to the beach and had a jetski adventure—just being together again felt so good. It reminded me of how much this second family means to me.

Because of them, I know love can come from unxpected places.

Thank you for taking time to read. See on my next blog!