Standing on Bidness

A love letter to my family <3

My family has always been my world—no surprise there. But what continues to amaze me is how much deeper my love for them grows over time. I know, it sounds a little odd, but it’s true. Sure, family can be the source of our deepest wounds—father and mother wounds, that first moment you realize love isn’t always unconditional. But here’s a different story, maybe even a new perspective: while family may be the source of your deepest pain, they can also be the source of your greatest strength. Sometimes sadness and grief overshadow that strength, but it’s always there.

I remember my last therapy session before moving to Chicago, my therapist left me with advice I’ll never forget: “You can’t fully love yourself if you don’t show all parts of you to those you love.” She was talking specifically about my relationship with my family—the root of a 20+ year cycle of self-sacrificing, resentment, and feeling stuck with the cards I’d been dealt. At that moment, I was hurt, and everything seemed to add up. I had all the reasons I needed to distance myself from them, the ones who, in my mind, boxed me in. Funny how life works though, because in the end, it was them who set me free from that very box.

Let me tell you a little about my family, starting with my parents. My mom—what a woman! Strong, graceful, and sharp as a whip. She raised herself with no parents or siblings around, hustling her way through life and finding her way to the U.S. during Somalia's civil war. She built a life in a new country with little to no English, navigating spaces that others could only dream of, never settling for less than she knew she deserved.

And then there’s my dad—the cocky bull, always ready to prove everyone wrong. He’s a dreamer, a risk-taker, and the biggest softie you’ll ever meet. He grew up unseen, undervalued, and constantly trying to prove himself, always betting on his dreams, despite the obstacles. Now imagine these two forces coming together, two young teens in a new country, both so sure of themselves, building a family together. No wonder I turned out the way I am, right?

For them, their union was sacred—a way to transmute their past pains into a new future. With no external support, they believed so deeply in themselves and each other. In today’s world, I feel like we’ve lost sight of the true importance of family. For me, family isn’t just blood. My parents believed in making everything meaningful, and even as kids, they stressed the importance of play. No matter how tired they were, they made time to run around with us, to laugh, and to turn every challenge into a chance for joy.

Sure, we look back at these moments and sometimes cringe—like, "I can’t believe I grew up like that!" But I see it differently. In the face of adversity and uncertainty, my parents taught me to turn to faith and play. We trusted that things would work out because our foundation was love, and love always finds a way.

As our family grew and my dad's dreams expanded, so did our prosperity and joy. Every Sunday, we’d have family meetings, and my dad would always make it a point to celebrate our wins. Because when one person wins, we all do. This is my win for my family. To take off the mask, let go of years of pain and loneliness, and be truly seen and deeply loved by the people who reflect the best parts of me.

I see myself in my siblings—their unique shine, their strengths, their potential. My deepest wish for them is to never feel trapped like I once did. I will always put myself out there, brave any storm, so they have the freedom to be their truest, most authentic selves. The same gift my parents gave me—the unwavering belief in myself and in those I love—is what I’ll always strive to give them.

So, to my family—thank you. Thank you for healing and loving the parts of me I never thought would see the light of day. For holding me together when I couldn’t hold myself, and for reminding me who I am when I had forgotten. You are the best friends I spent my life searching for. You see me, every part of me, and love me unconditionally.

This is for you. And it’s only the beginning.

#ImproveYourLife

#GangGangGang