This is called: chosen family – those a part of your "growing network, [that] can help construct a wide foundation support that grows with time."

If you don't have a great relationship with your blood family, that's okay. You can find support and love from your chosen family. There are people that will come into your life that will fill spots left empty by those that we just didn't quite connect with. Sometimes, it's best to love people from afar.

The Importance of Family

There are several reasons why it's important to surround yourself with those you identify as family. Here are a few you may relate to:

1. Families allow you to belong to something – Ever heard of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs?  There's a level on that diagram that is described as "social", the need for being loved, belonging, and inclusion. It can feel selfish to want to be loved and involved in things happening around you, but really, it's a basic level of need. We're a communal species; we're supposed to want that. Finding people who provide that for you are important on a fundamental level.
2. Some families may help provide financial security – Sometimes, we need people to depend on in times of need. Your mind may turn to when people borrow/lend money to someone, but think more along the lines of needing a place to stay, switching off to pay for gas on a road trip, etc. Knowing you can depend on someone to help you feel secure is really what this is about.
3. Families support one another – Earlier, I said that I feel like families mean that you can turn to someone in times of celebration or heartache; that's what I mean here too. Support comes in many forms. Some of us need a shoulder to cry on, help up the stairs, a listening ear, or a distraction. Whatever it is, if there's a go-to person (or group of people) for you when you're happy, sad, hurting, or struggling, hold onto that supportive hand. That's family right there.