Who I am.

I realized something a while back and was reminded of it again just yesterday.
We are who we are because of those around us. And obviously because God made us the way we are... blah, blah, blah. Yes that's a no-brainer. Really though, I am the person I am because of my family. I guess because they are the people I'm around the most, which I love! :)
I am so thankful and blessed to live life with these precious people who love me for who I am, which is not always an easy task, I'm sure.
I think of this especially with my dear sister. We are so alike and share the same ideas, dreams, and experiences. It's weird, really. I say that we are twins and somehow time got mixed up and I was just a few years late. You know, like some crazy movie. But, of course no one believes me. Seriously, though we have something special and I just love it. My family is really close and I'm glad that my parents made family a priority when we were younger. It definitely has paid off. And because of that, I plan to do the the same some day if God sees fit to gift me with a family.
Back to what I was saying... I am who I am because of them.
I see it in the words I use, the faces I make, and more importantly the decisions I make about life.
Yesterday, I had just gotten dressed and looked in the mirror, adjusted my shirt, and tilted my head. BAM. That was such a Lana! I instantly saw her in my mind doing the same thing and laughed to myself. I will always make toffee like my mom does, like her mom did. I am a physical touch person, like my dad. I talk weird sometimes and my words don't always make sense... thanks to Matt :)
These are just trivial, silly things. But there are also life changing decisions I have made because I look up to my siblings and trust my parents and I have seen the importance of honesty, the reward of faith, and the freedom of forgiveness by watching them live. And for that I am truly grateful.