Mount Pleasant Magazine May/June 2018

73 www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.ILoveMountPleasant.com | www.BestOfMP.com feature are the result of an unfortunate event that somehow caused someone to jump into action, ready or not. However, there are other situations, such as what happened with Michael Sigalas and his family, that show that families can also come together merely for the sake of love. The Sigalas family now includes seven boys. Michael, already a father to two sons, met Angie after her husband died. She brought her five sons – one biological and four adopted from China – into the family. Now with seven young men ranging in age from 13 to 20, and five of them living with them full-time, it’s safe to say that the Sigalas household is overflowing with plenty of energy and love. While Michael jokes about never having to worry about the toilet seat being up, he takes this new opportunity incredibly seriously, saying “one of the greatest things about kids is that they tend to open our own eyes to things that perhaps we no longer see with childlike wonder. Getting to re- experience some of life’s joys with a new set of adventurers has been fun, whether it’s taking them to a favorite historic site or introducing them to their new Aunt Mary. Providing new enriching experiences for them and seeing them afresh through their eyes is great!” So let’s talk about the word “family” again. While the quintessential American family is typically portrayed as a mother and father happily raising a son and daughter somewhere in suburbia, I think we can all agree that there’s so much more to it than that these days. Whether it’s grandparents raising their children’s children, nieces and nephews going to live with their aunts or uncles or simply a family coming together through adoption, loss and new beginnings, the word “family” isn’t defined by the people who make it up but instead by the love that brings them together. Whether a romantic escape, or a fishing or watersports adventure, Freedom Boat Club takes you there! Call for a VIP tour of the fleet and facilities. Discover Boating Freedom! 843-870-7887 • FreedomBoatClub. com Mt. Pleasant, Seabrook Island, Pawley’s Island, N. Myrtle Beach, Murrells Inlet, SC. Southport, NC.