Family First!

In this blog post, I want to take some time to brag about my family. I\’m obviously biased, but my family is pretty awesome, and definitely unique. They mean the world to me, and they always come first — no matter what. 

If my parents have taught me anything, it’s that 1.) you don’t get anything you don’t work for, and 2.) exercise, exercise, exercise! Both of my parents are family physicians, and they have always stressed the importance of eating healthy and exercising regularly. My dad always tells his patients that he wants to lead by example, and that if he is telling them to eat better and exercise more, he better be doing the same himself. He has constantly reminded us to do the same! When I was young, I went running with my parents a lot. My dad was pretty set on all of us becoming runners, and he won over the other two kids; but once I fell in love with swimming, there was no going back. No one else in my family liked swimming, but my parents knew it was my thing and they supported me in every way possible. They would come to all of my meets, and even helped time and work the timing tables at the home meets. Even though they threw a silent party when I graduated high school and they no longer had to go to any swim meets, I know they enjoyed coming to cheer me on and watch me have a blast at the sport I loved.

Lately, I have been starting to get into running again. My dad signed me up for a half marathon in Disney world over New Year’s last year, and I was terrified, but I knew I could do it! I ran it with my dad, and he was nice enough to go a slow pace with me and encourage me to just finish the race. Honestly, it was the most fun I’ve ever had running in my life, and that’s saying something because I never think running is fun. I loved being able to just hang out with my dad running through Disney world, doing what he loves. I know it’s his dream someday to run a full marathon with all of his kids, but that’ll take some serious convincing for me! Someday, even if I have to walk most of it, I might be able to do it.

 

As I said earlier, both of my parents are doctors, and we lived a very comfortable life while we grew up. That did not mean, however, that we were handed everything we asked for. My parents taught us to work hard for the things we wanted. We were expected to do well in school, and if not, we would be punished. We were expected to treat others with respect, and if we did not, there would be consequences. Most of the time, we had to earn an allowance, we were not just given one. I 100% believe that my parents shaped me to be who I am today. Without them, I would not have been able to finish college, or even get there in the first place. I have been incredibly fortunate to have my parents help me pay my way through school, and I knew that meant I couldn’t screw around and I had to work my butt off. I may still not be 100% sure of what I want to do career wise, but thanks to my parents I have an education and a good paying job, and the ability to live and take care of myself. I miss them every day. It sucks sometimes to live so far away from them, but I text them daily and call them at least 4 times a week just to make sure they don’t forget about me 😉

My siblings are rock stars too. In my last post, I talked about how my twin sister is my best friend and that my life rocks because of her. Well, my little brother, Nicki, is pretty cool too. He’s kind of a pain in the butt, but aren’t most little brothers?? I guess I should say “younger” brother, because the boy is anything but little. He has been taller than me since middle school, and takes full advantage of it. Whenever I am home, he likes to try and make me make him sandwiches all the time. Of course, if I say no, the little twerp will throw me over his shoulder and go dangle my head over the toilet until I finally give in. Usually, I’m too much of a push over though and just make him the darn sandwich!

Currently, Nicki is a senior in college and he runs track at school. I really admire how hard he works when it comes to sports. Even when he’s told he can’t do something, or he isn’t good enough, he pushes himself until he proves that person wrong. When he first started school, he didn’t make it on the track team. He made the team his sophomore year, and has been kicking booty ever since. It’s a really admirable trait to have, and I’m glad he doesn’t give up easily. I think that also partly stems from our parents emphasizing how important exercise is, because all three of us kids work our booties off when it comes to sports and being in shape.

When I went home last month, it was the first time in about a year where all three of us kids were home at the same time. It was one of the best weeks I’ve had in a long time. I loved being able to hang out with all of them, and it almost felt like the old days where we were all still living at home. We were together the whole time, teasing each other and watching movies, and just talking about life. I really wish that we could do this more often, but know that it gets a little hard as we grow older and have to start “adulting.” I have emphasized to them plenty of times though that I have a pull out couch and want them to visit me ASAP! I hope we continue to be close for a very long time, and I\’m excited for when we start having families of our own to add to the fun. 

Family is so important, not just to me, but hopefully to all of you. Don\’t take any moment for granted, because you never know when the good times will become less frequent, or how much time you have with them. Enjoy every minute with your loved ones and make all the memories you can. I encourage all of you spend time with your families this weekend. If you\’re not together this weekend, give them a call! Let them know you are thinking of them and that you love them. Because no matter what, family comes first!

Until next time 🙂

Megan Reiffenberger