Some people see the glass half full, while others see it half empty. It’s the way people see things, hear things and say things that make them who they are. It’s common for a family to see the glass the same way, creating their one of a kind dynamic.

Every family has their different way to approach someone. Even though one is born with a specific name, not every family refers to them by it. For sophomore Brandon Reynolds, his family uses nicknames.

“My parents don’t really have nicknames, but my brother Conner, my sister Brittany and I do,” Reynolds said. “We call my brother Connie, my sister Burtney, and my nickname is Brandino, which came from my friend, Gabriel Tijerina.”

Per societal rules, parents are referred to as mom or dad, but for senior Mary Cook, her family is unique.

“I like to call my mom by her first name, Sheila, because I love it so much and think it’s so pretty,” Cook said.

Families can converse in a variety of ways. Some may chose to text, while others prefer to email. One may choose to use words, while another chooses to use body language.

“Sheila will usually text me at least 10 times a day,” Cook said. “If Zach doesn’t respond to any of her texts, she uses me as a messenger. If it’s something to deal with the whole family, then we have a group chat that we use.”

Sequoits are commonly found separating the differences between families by how strict they are. While some have a set curfew and Sundays dedicated to their religious practices, others have free range to do what they like, and say whatever is on their mind. For junior Michael Volkmar, his family uses their manners.

“In my family, it’s a rule that my siblings and I aren’t allowed to use curse words,” Volkmar said. “We still make lots of jokes and have fun talking to each other.”

Growing up means making mistakes. Every family has a different level of “punishment” as a consequence for one’s actions. Some may be let off the hook, while others have to pay their dues.

“[If I were to get grounded, my parents]  would take away my phone and not let me hang out with friends,” Reynolds said.

Some families are home bodies, while others are adventurous. For fun, some families choose to spend the night on their couch, watching a movie, and, for others, fun means trying something new and exploring new areas.

“My family usually goes on vacation twice a year,” Volkmar said. “My parents, sisters, grandparents and I travel all over the world together.”

What makes a family so special is their creative catchphrases. These are usually created by a  memory within the family which has stuck and become a part of their everyday vocabulary.

“My siblings and I say ‘simmer down hot sauce’ when one of us gets in a bad mood,” Cook said. “We heard it from a family friend and just kept using it.”

All families have their own special dynamic. A way of communication for one family may be different from another, but that’s what makes everyone’s family unique. Families can differ from the way they eat dinner to how they spend their weekends together. Every family has its baggage and bumps in the road. Not everyone is close to their family or even considers their blood relatives family, but family is not determined by blood. The people who stand by one’s side and love them unconditionally are the people who represent the word love. Everyone’s family is different, and no single family is considered perfect, but that’s the beauty of what makes a family, a family