Every now and then I will write about text messaging. Well, I want to focus on a certain aspect of that subject tonight. What I am about to center on is a real cool way to stay in touch with your dearest loved ones while having a lot of fun as well.

First off, thank goodness for group text messaging. Second, thank goodness for parents becoming more proficient at texting. These two factors have paved the way for a wonderful technology: Family Text Messaging!

It is very common in my family that the five of us will text each other as a group. From 3,000 miles away I regularly engage in a communal discussion via text with my mom, my dad, my older sister, and my younger brother. We wish each other happy birthday, we congratulate each other on accomplishments, we talk about pets, and we send pictures like crazy. We also text about complete nonsense as well.

Just a typical Reser conversation from a couple days ago.

Although our family texts are usually fun and games, when my brother and sister start to “spam” our group texting forum with late night messages or the 36th cat photo of the day, my dad does start to get frustrated. You see, he still has in his own words a “dumb phone,” so he doesn’t enjoy the group messaging capabilities of an iPhone. Instead of all messages going neatly into one single thread he receives each response as an individual text message. Losing track of the conversation and your sanity is very easy in such a situation.

Sometimes it is definitely appropriate to send a selfie locker room photo to the family.

But besides that sometimes uncomfortable problem, we love the luxury of texting within our family unit. It is secure, fun, and beneficial. Sometimes it is even heartwarming. From time to time my mom will send out the sweetest good night messages telling us kids that she loves us and that she is very proud of us. Many times my dad will send out the simple “love u” text when he goes to sleep (which is usually around 7:30 p.m.). This type of communication really helps me feel close to my family even when I am living on the other side of the country.

Many times the conversations are random and pointless.

Of course the Resers aren’t the only ones who do this. I would say that the majority of families with text messaging capabilities participate in dialogue via group messaging. The beauty is that families can talk in their own distinct “language” and communicate through their established brand of humor and sarcasm that has developed over the years.

I am thankful for family group messaging. It allows me to flawlessly communicate with my loved ones while getting a laugh or two along the way. Excuse me now, I must send a picture of my leftover pasta to my family…they should love it. Don’t Blink.