Fake Tios and Tias

My 1st Birthday. Not sure how many of the people in this picture are my actual cousins.

Whatever happened to everyone being  your tia and tio? Everyone being your cousin. I remember when I was a kid being amazed at how huge our family was. It got to the point that whenever we went to family parties I just assumed that everyone was my relative. My dad would always be like, "Estes tu tio fulanito..." and then proceed to introduce me to "my cousins." I miss that. I want that. I noticed that I don't do that with my friends. I remember when Sami was younger she would call everyone tia/tio. I thought it was the cutest and sweetest thing ever! Sometimes I corrected her and sometimes I didn't. I wanted so desperately for her to think they were truly her family. Well, not EVERYONE, of course, just my closest friends. Some of them thought it was adorable and some of them were a little weirded out. I think Sami kinda understand nows but she still kind of does it. The only difference is she'll ask, "Can I call so-and-so tia/tio?" Depending on the person I'll usually agree or say it's probably best she doesn't.

Now as an adult, knowing damn well that certain people aren't blood relatives, I will still refer to them as tio and tia; out of respect. And truth be told because I love it. I'm not sure if it's a cultural thing. If everyone did it, or if it was just my family. Point is, I love it and wish I could pass that on to my kids. I think it's a little more difficult because even some of my own actual relatives don't teach their children to refer to me and Mr.A as "tio and tia." They're like, "Say hi to Mr.A and Sandunga." Does it bother me? A little. Do I do the same? I do. Probably not for the best reasons. I do it because I figure, why should I give them the privilege of having my kids give them an honor that's not being given to us. Childish? Yes. Immature? Probably. Fraks given? None.