The true meaning of family..
Titan I have read your post here and also on your thread. Please know that family aren’t only biologically related. There are many different types of families, and you are correct in understanding that your internal family is entirely unique and different to your external family.
Family for me means unconditional love, support, acceptance, forgiveness, loyalty, trust, vulnerability, care and respect. I have biological family, but also people in my life that I consider family because of my connection with them. The same way that Maya is family to you because of your connection with her.
Your internal family has such a powerful connection bound by love and forged in survival. You are united as brothers and sisters of life experience and together there is nothing you cannot achieve. You are intrinsically formed instead of externally born but that only enhances how important your internal family is to your well-being and quality of life.
You are a best friend, but also family to me.