Choosing Friends Who Become Family

I’ve always believed in the power of community and the strength of good people. I believe that true strength lies in the ability to be honest, to open one’s heart, and to share challenges and fears with those close to us. The strongest connections are created from moments of openness and vulnerability — that’s where our humanity shines through. It’s where we truly find ourselves and the people who are genuinely there for us. This fills me with deep gratitude for the privilege of surrounding my life with people who truly see me.

When I moved to New York in 2012, I was struck by how difficult it could be to make new friends in a place where everything is so fast and unpredictable. I found myself in the big city, surrounded by thousands of people, yet still feeling alone at times. Fortunately, my childhood friend arrived in the city a year later and opened doors for me in her social world. She encouraged me to open up again, to be myself, and to trust people. Thanks to her, I began to see the goodness in those around me and allowed myself to embrace new friendships, and I’ll remember that forever. Through her, I experienced moments full of warmth and love that turned this unfamiliar city into a home.

Over time, we built a family here, a close-knit group of people dear to my heart, who never leave my side — in good times and bad, in laughter and in tears. They’re here to encourage, support, and embrace me. They’re here to remind me that life is a shared journey, filled with opportunities to lift each other up and to be there for one another. I now understand how important it is to create a community around our children — an environment filled with love, support, and a willingness to listen. When they see us carefully choosing the people in our lives, they learn the strength of true connections and the essence of friendship.

I feel immensely grateful for each one of them. It moves me to know I can be myself, reveal every part of me, and trust that my friends will accept me, stand by my side, and give me their genuine support. I’ve learned that being vulnerable and asking for help when needed isn’t a sign of weakness; rather, it’s one of the secrets to real success in life. We all face challenges, and pretending everything is always fine isn’t wise. The wisdom lies in knowing how to lean on good people, finding those who are willing to be there, and genuinely trusting them. The warmth and love they give me help me face every challenge and fill my heart with the knowledge that I am not alone.

In this busy world, where everyone is so caught up in their own lives, I am blessed to have found friends who have become part of my family. People who choose to put me and my family at the forefront of their priorities, who stand by me in the hardest moments, and remind me of my inner strength, hope, and belief that I can handle whatever comes. They are the family I chose, no less dear and important than my biological family, and for that, I feel endless gratitude.



I believe in the goodness in people’s hearts, in the power of a supportive community, and in the magic of being surrounded by people who truly know me. Choosing this family of friends, who fill my life with warmth, love, and irreplaceable support, is the greatest gift I could give myself and my children.