Is your perfect Friday night spending time with your family, playing board games, and snuggling up while watching movies? When you meet someone, does your family’s feedback matter because you know they want the best for you and have good judgment? It sounds like you know that family is the most important thing in your life, which is why you always ensure you make them your highest priority. They’re not just family — they’re your main squad! Here are 1o signs that prove family comes first for you.
1. You Have Non-Negotiable Family Dinners.
While some families only get together during Thanksgiving or Christmas, your family makes sure to connect at least once a week over a table of delicious food. These are more than just fun dinners — they’re about giving you a night to chill with your nearest and dearest and get time away from the craziness of the world.
2. You’re Always On The Family Chat.
You and your family members have a group family chat that’s always blowing up your phone. While the messages can sometimes be about practical things, there are also some funny childhood memories that come up. Oh, and you can’t forget about the inside jokes that always take center stage. It’s all in good fun and it keeps you connected on a daily basis, making you feel like your family members are your besties.
3. You Talk Through Stressful Times.
If you and your family don’t see eye to eye on an issue, you don’t just cut them out. That’s a no-go! You’ll get in touch and schedule some time together so you can hash things out, instead of ignoring or blocking them on social media. This is what keeps your relationships strong and ensures you can rely on each other through challenging times.
4. You Ensure A Healthy Life Balance.
To ensure your family stays in the number-one spot in your life, you don’t let one area of your life take over too much. So, you won’t work so hard that you’re at the office on a Sunday and can’t make it to family dinner. Similarly, you won’t let the excitement of a new relationship whisk you too far away from your relatives.
5. You Introduce Partners To Your Family Right Away.
When you start a new relationship, you suggest your partner meet your family as soon as possible. It’s not that you’re rushing things along and trying to hit all those dating milestones in a hurry, but you want to get your family’s approval. If they’re not keen on the person you’ve chosen, you might second-guess your decision to be with them ’cause your family knows you so well. (Just make sure they’re not overstepping, according to Couple Works.)
6. You Follow Your Family’s Values.
Your family is such a priority for you that you try to live according to the values and morals you’ve been accustomed to since you were a kid. These might include honesty and integrity, and they’re such a big part of you that they’re non-negotiable. When you bring these values into the rest of your life, you can enrich them according to your family’s example.
7. You Won’t Date Someone Who Doesn’t Like Your Family.
No matter how much you like the person you’re dating, your relationship will probably not survive if your partner doesn’t get along with your family, or vice versa. If there’s conflict between the two parties, you’ll have to deal with tons of drama in your life. You want a partner who will love your family and want to spend time with them.
8. You Share Your Resources With Your Family.
You love your family so much that you’re always there to help them. When you get paid, you’ll transfer some money to your parents to help them out for the month (you’re in good company—according to the U.S. Census, adults provided $17.5 billion to support their parents in 2020). Similarly, if your sister or brother reaches out for some financial help, you’ll help them without even thinking about it. While other people might not understand this, it makes sense to you because your family is so important to you.
9. You Respect Other People’s Families.
Since you know the value of having a strong relationship with your family, you extend that respect and love to other families. When you meet your partner’s family, you’ll be kind to them and spend time learning about them. It’s important to you to build strong relationships with them.
10. You Know The Importance Of Small Good Deeds.
If you have good relationships with your family, you know that the small deeds of love make a huge impact, such as when you text your sibling to check in on their stressful day or you do the dishes to thank your mom for a delicious dinner. Chances are, you’ll extend these meaningful actions into your other relationships, ensuring you make those you love feel valued.