Today’s post is more personal than the others, and perhaps more contentious.

​My relationship with my family (mum, dad and bio sister) isn’t great.

We don’t see eye to eye on much, and the environment I exist in these days is very different to the one I grew up in.

There’s a lot less drama, arguments, and I live with true contentment.

I’m absolutely the black sheep in my family, and whilst I know my family love me, I’m not too sure they like me. I’ve ruminated on how things are and realised that they are unlikely to change.

​I sometimes feel guilty that our strained relationship affects my daughter, that she’s somehow missing out.

​But she isn’t.

​You know that running joke about in-laws being just the worst? I’ve never heard the punchline.

​My mother and father-in-law make up for all my daughter lacks from my side. They have a love for her that far outweighs the affection of your standard complete set of grandparents.

My in-laws are closer to me than my own kin. I may take the piss out of my mother-in-law, but I respect her deeply, and my father-in-law has never failed to be there, both in an emergency and for a last-minute childcare request.

Family is more than those you’re born to, sometimes you find them later in life.

​Blood is thicker than water – but I know what I’d rather drink.

Thank you, Pat and Davie, for the love you give to my daughter, to my wife, and to me.