My family life is anything but usual or "normal", and we like it that way! I grew up with my mom, dad and lil' sis Caila; we are all very close and always there to support each other, which is something I am incredibly grateful for.

My parents had a very different style of parenting, they treated my sister and I like adults and all of their rules had a reason. If Caila or I did not agree with something they said or did, our parents would always explain why and in certain cases offer a compromise. My parents are also incredibly involved in our lives, they are always there to talk  if we need advice, go out of their way to make each day special, endure hours upon hours of theater practice and never stop supporting our dreams no matter what they are. In my opinion this is what made my sister and I into the people we are today.
As far as teenagers go, my sister and I are nothing like the ones portrayed on tv. If anything we are kinda "boring".We love reading, listening to music, watching old movies, playing video games and spending time with the family. I have never been to a "party"...you know the ones they show on Glee where everyone drinks cheap liquor out of Red Solo Cups and dances like weirdos until they all start crying or break-up or both. We were just never interested in that sort of environment, and our parents are certainly not "typical" either.

My mom is a Brazilian immigrant who comes from a loud, large family (i dont know half of my relatives on her side) and my dad is a computer programmer by day and a writer by night who wears all black, has an earring and a serious passion for anything geeky. They are the most odd couple I have ever seen. My mother has a career in insurance and is the main breadwinner, she works crazy long hours and has an hour long commute to work everyday. She was not around much when I was little, and for a while that put alot of strain on our relationship. My dad on the other hand works horrible hours (4 am to 1 pm) just so he could be home everyday after school for me and my sister, he was our "mom" growing up. He cooked, cleaned and drove us all over creation to friend's houses, after school activities, cool restaurants, book shops and weird stores that sold everything from vintage leather jackets to Santeria voodoo supplies. I did not have a "normal" childhood by any means.
I was encouraged form a very young age to pursue my passion (art) and to be strong and independent. I was able to travel extensively and gain a better understanding of the world and other cultures. Being raised Brazilian and Italian I know that you can always depend on your family, even if they make you angry sometimes. We are all loyal to a fault, and proud of it!

After reading "The Glass Castle" I appreciate all that my parents have done for me even more, because I never had to worry about where my next meal was coming from or if my dad was going to come home drunk, or not come home at all. My mother always puts her kids before herself, and is the most hard-working woman I  know. My childhood was nothing like the one depicted in the book.

Keeping all of this in mind, what is most note-worthy about my parents is how accepting and loving they are. I came out to my parents when I was just thirteen years old, and I was so scared. My mother is very religious and I was honestly worried that they were going to throw me out like I had seen parents on tv do.  But, all they did was tell me that they loved me no matter what, and if anything it has brought us closer together in the end.
 I love my family, for all of their flaws and all of their awesome qualities as well. It has not been easy on any of us. My mother suffers from depression. My dad is a struggling artist. My sister has been horrifically bullied at school and has a very low self-esteem. I am prone to dramatics and have a very short temper. But--the positive strongly outweigh the negatives and I would not trade my life for anything. Whenever I think of my family, this quote pops into my head:
"A family is a risky venture, because the greater the love, the greater the loss... That's the trade-off. But I'll take it all." (Brad Pitt) 

                    My family after a day ATV-ing in South Carolina (please ignore all the mud, it was the only pic I could find of the 4 of us at once)

 My favorite selfie in the world!!!!