Can you believe we've reached midsummer already? With your vacation behind you, there are only two things left to look forward to: the family reunion and the fair, both of which are intentionally placed on the calendar at the same time. Let me explain.

Most of us cringe at the idea of heading to the annual family reunion and try to find any excuse not to attend. But eventually, we all bite the bullet and go, making life miserable for everyone else in our "real" family.

No one is safe, including your children and your spouse, from the beast that you become during the ride to a local park in the middle of nowhere so you can sit in stifling heat to eat Aunt Ethel's pretzel salad or Uncle Bob's baked beans with people that can't be related to you, but somehow are.

It's as if someone shook the family tree and only the nuts fell out to attend the reunion.

But after a careful head count, you realize that every possible family member alive is in attendance and none of them have changed one bit.

In fact, it's as if you've stepped back in time 25 years and all that you've accomplished means squat. Your family, your career, your car, your house — all of it means nothing because your family knew you when you were nothing; a point they are eager to make while they hit on your spouse and cousin Angela tries to sell you insurance.

Usually about one hour into the reunion, I've had enough "fun" and try to make my way to the car where I can at least sit in the air conditioning and listen to a ball game.

This year will be different, though, since neither of the kids nap. I could be in trouble since I haven't designed an escape plan yet.

The second hour always involves some sort of high-powered sporting event such as softball, football or lawn darts.

The competition will last exactly 37 minutes until Uncle Tony slides hard into Johnny and they begin to fight, just like they always do, or when they both vomit from too much Kentucky Fried Chicken mixed with adult beverages, whichever comes first.

But then something magical happens during the third hour. One of the older, wiser, tribe leaders comes up with the idea of heading to the carnival or the local fair as a way to "wrap things up." On the surface, this screams "BAD IDEA." But consider the following:

Comedian Jeff Foxworthy said that "If you want to feel like royalty, take your family to the fair. After five minutes there, you begin to think 'Dang, we're all right.'"

And it's true. You might think that you have the most illogical, dysfunctional, bizarre family in the world until you attend the fair. Once there, you will realize that your family is pretty darn normal. Making fun of other families becomes a bonding experience, one that ties us together and makes us cool, like a gang — a gang with bad haircuts, pot bellies and bad clothes, but a gang nonetheless.

I'm just glad that the fair and the reunion overlap each year to remind me of why I keep coming back to the family reunion.

See yunz next year!

Christian Ola, a community columnist for the Butler Eagle, lives in Mars with his wife, son and daughter. He can be reached through www.christianola.com.