More often than not, we joke about our family. We call ourselves "the Family", "the cult", or more recently, "the commune". We are two twenty/thirtysomething couples who live in a rented house with a dog... and we are a family. We fight, laugh, clean, tease, console, celebrate, and share every important moment together. As a young girl, I imagined marrying a man, having babies, and staying home with them... As an adult, I've made the choice not to have children and to enjoy my life to the fullest, with the support of my husband and the two amazing friends (and dog!) we have chosen to make a part of our family. Though we have received some odd looks and more than a few confused comments, I wouldn't have it any other way.

I don't know what life will put in my path, but I believe I am a better person because of my "new normal" family.