Growing up in a big family of mostly Hispanics, it is a huge tradition to have family dinners for every special occasion. It’s been this way for as long as I can remember. The reason this means so much to me is that I’m not allowed to talk to some family members, and others stopped coming around. Some of my family members don’t get along with each other, so they don’t make it their top priority to show up for things. I already don’t know some family members because they live far away, like in Puerto Rico, and I don’t want to not get the chance to see the others once in a while, even if I can’t stand them myself. To me, family is important. I wouldn’t be who I am today if it weren’t for what I’ve been through, and because of my family. That’s saying a lot because I’m not that big of a family person, and I keep to myself for most family events. But, it’s still nice to see my family, especially on both my mom's and dad's sides, coming together - no arguing, no fighting, no nothing. I lit when we're just one big family, coming together, putting our differences aside to have fun. That’s what family dinners for special occasions do for my family. We all come together, eat Puerto Rican foods, and try to get along, which at times can be hard with a family like mine. 

– Ariana Maldonado

Relationship:  Grandchild of im/migrant Grandchild of im/migrant