Friends are the family we choose ourselves

I live in another country to my entire family, and sometimes, that really sucks. Nothing beats the unconditional love and acceptance you get from family members - no matter how weird you are.

The older I get, the more I understand that family is not just restricted to those that share our blood, family can come in all different forms.

My friend Lexy is one of my dearest friends and her family has become an extension of my own. Her babes are my nieces and nephews, her home is my own. Quite literally, it was my home for six months in 2011 and I am so unfathomably thankful for that gift. On the weekend I had the honour of joining with her immediate family to celebrate her birthday, there was cake, a lifetime supply of homemade pizza, lots of love, and of course, newborn squishy cuddles with the newest family member. Happy birthday Lex, it's an absolute joy doing life with you my friend.

A lesson I learned from dessert? Don't get in between Jonah and his cake, the kid gets mad..