Family is one of those strange words that is incredibly specific, yet oddly broad at the same time. In a very specific, archaic sense, a family is created when two people create and raise a child. But the existence of a family has endured because the idea of "family" is so necessary to a happy survival...and ironically, in that endurance, the family structure has been dismantled and restructured, for the better by my point of view.
I am lucky enough to have a loving, supportive family in all sense of the traditional word. But I am extra lucky to also have family where we are connected not by blood, but by salty sea water that flows through our veins.
Being a part of a family is all about sacrifice. Swimmers understand sacrifice. That is why we are pretty awesome family members, in our traditional families and also to our special swim family members.
I was in the hospital for a week with asthma...this was not new, but new since joining the ranks of marathon swimming. Along with JC I had the support of my swim family. A doctor that walked right in the room and assumed my teammate Mo was my mom. Just a few weeks ago another teammate came for a final wedding dress fitting and had the same assumption made. No, no relation...just some amazing people that share a mutual respect and understanding of a very addicting, somewhat crazy, little hobby. It's called marathon swimming.
Just like any family, marathon swimmers have little tiffs, some members like each other more than others, and there may be "sibling rivalry" between others. But deep down, maybe salt water is almost as thick as blood, and our mutual understanding for each other births quite a lovely support team.
