QUEENIE, 20 YEARS

I think I might have grown up as my family’s favorite—just kidding, but maybe! They always want me to be present wherever they go, and they’re always proud of my achievements, showering me with gifts and money. Maybe it's because I’m the family clown, which is why they always want me around. The support they’ve given me is something I’m truly grateful for. I just love my family, and words can’t fully express that. As the youngest in the family, I grew up doing things mostly on my own, with my mom guiding me since it was just the two of us at home. My parents separated when I was four years old. I have a nine-year age gap with my brother, who has his own family and two kids. Growing up, I was often left at home while my cousins moved away. Sometimes, I wouldn’t see them for months or even years. I learned to enjoy my own company, but I feel blessed that, even though I wasn’t able to bond much with my cousins, they left me the greatest gift in the world—their kids, my nieces and nephews. I’ve always longed to have a strong bond with my cousins, but life just didn’t allow it at the time. They were busy building their own lives, and I was just beginning to explore the world. Since then, I’ve formed deep connections with the kids. As an outgoing person, I want them to experience the world as early as possible and make sure they feel loved, especially since their parents are often away. I want them to have the kinds of experiences I missed out on with my cousins. I don’t want them to ever say they didn’t have a bond with their aunts and uncles. I love my family, especially the kids.