extended family

In Hawaii, everyone is either auntie or uncle. That's just the way it is. Immediate family.

That was one thing I loved about living there. I had so many uncles and aunties to care for me. 

The coolest part about it was that they don't just say "auntie" for no reason. They almost take place of family that's not able to be with you. They care for you. They love you. 

Chris and I were lucky enough to have real relatives and I honestly can't remember how they are related, living out in Hawaii when we were there, an older couple that took very good care of us. They picked us up from the airport when we very first arrived. They brought us food.. very odd food, but food non the less. And boy were we grateful for it. :) 

  Poke or raw fish with coconut milk

 Taro roll

Every once in a while Gigi and Jo would stop by to check on us. Almost every time we saw them they either gave us food or money. They were like our "fill in" parents for a while. Checking up on us to make sure we had everything we needed. They are some of the greatest people I know. They are the type of people that would give you the shirt off their back. 

I bring this up because he called me today, to check up on me. He said "It's warm here, I hope your not out frozen somewhere". haha Oh I miss them. 

So I think I'm trying to say we all have people that mean a lot to us and some times were not related.. I'm grateful for all of the people in my life. I'm grateful for the opportunity I had to meet and get to know Gigi and Auntie Jo.