The Harsh Truth About Friend and Family Relationships When You Live Abroad

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I said in my wedding speech in front of over 100 of my nearest and dearest on a balmy evening in Krabi, Thailand six years ago that when you live abroad, your friends become your family and your family become your friends. 

Since then, I've grown up and experienced quite a bit more of adult life and have had some pretty serious reality checks. It turns out that I was kinda right, but there are some pretty serious caveats here.

My statement was a gross overgeneralization, you see. Over the years since that night, I’ve settled into married life, I’ve been raising a little boy, I’ve watched my mom remarry after my dad’s passing, I lost my brother, and I’ve navigated an absolute cyclone of family drama in amongst it all. And I've realized an important distinction: not all friends become your family. And not all family members become your friends. 

Let’s talk about it.