Family: The Importance of Each Generation
By: Ashton Benavides
Coming from a background of deep Italian, Irish, and Cuban ancestry, the idea of Family has always mattered.
From my mother’s side of Italian and Irish Ancestry, I have learned the valuable lessons of honesty, discipline, and humor. My Mother's side taught me what it meant to enjoy the people you love. My grandfather, Michael Benedetto, was one of my role models and is still to this day. He always knew how to make me smile and never made me want for anything. Although he is as crazy as can be, my Grandmother Gerri Benedetto was always the voice of reason. A woman whom I consider a true inspiration, my grandmother is nothing short of a hero in the shadows. She kept a tight ship, but she always was there to be the one to pick you up when you fell off the saddle.
When looking at my father's Cuban Lineage, I am proud to say I attribute my hard work to the direct story of my Abuelos, Aldo, and Maria Benavides. Coming From Cuba in their earlier teenage years, my grandparents on my father’s side fought tooth and nail to find the success they have earned. Creating a Family company that still stands today within our Family. Our company, Aldo Design Group is not only an installation/interior design home company, but it stands for the pride of my father’s side of the family. Not only has it allowed generations of Benavides to live a comfortable life, but it is a constant reminder of the dream that two young Cuban teens had when trying to better their lives.
With Amazing Grandparents come even better kids, and fortunately, I can them Mom and Dad. My mother, Danielle Benavides, is nothing short of a true legend. Not only is she one of my best friends, but she is someone who never takes no for an answer. If there is a way to take care of it she will “make it happen”. With one of the most creative minds I know, my mother never fails to inspire me. She’s one of the most considerate yet honest people I know, and she always wants to watch her people succeed. My Father, Albert Benavides, is the one who has introduced me to most of the things I love. Football, Golf, Finance, and many more things my dad was the first person to share with me, and ultimately shaped the man I am today. Rather my coach, teacher, friend, or dad, he’s always been patient and compassionate towards my interests and desires. He has provided me with the greatest experiences in my life because of all the hard work he has done. I can never thank my parents enough.
With Two older brothers, Aidan and Albert Jr, I have been able to be inspired by the actions of people who have walked the path before me. Albert Jr., or Al, being my oldest brother has always managed to be the best teacher a little brother could ask for. He was always my buddy to play card games, go shoot hoops, and watch countless shows together. Being 9 years apart from my oldest brother is one of the coolest aspects of our relationship. He was old enough for me to be his little buddy, but now I stand here today watching him with his amazing wife start their own lives. My sister-in-law, Alexandra Benavides has been with my brother since the end of time. Being together since I was little it is astonishing to me that they watched me grow and now I watched them get married and bring my two beautiful nieces into this world. My nieces Adrianna and Alessia are my two little balls of joy.
My brother Aidan is a completely different story. Things weren’t always the smoothest for us and we frequently budded heads at a younger age. Being 5 years older than I am, he and I had the middle child-youngest child drama, but as an adult standing here today Aidan truly is one of my best friends. Together we always manage to find a great number of laughs and he will always be my buddy to explore new things with. Getting a tattoo on a whim, going to a new speakeasy bar, or finding the next coolest house event, Aidan is always down for the ride. Aside from being my friend, Aidan will always secretly be one of my biggest inspirations. He is strong-willed, tenacious, and could keep on pushing. If you asked him, he’d tell you the countless number of times he’s been knocked down, but every single time he’s gotten up and kept on moving.
As scroll along this website you will learn all about me, but the people I highlighted in this article are a direct reflection of who I am. From my grandparents to my little nieces, these people have given me countless lessons to form the man I am today. I couldn’t have learned resiliency, honesty, drive, humor, creativity, and so many more aspects about myself if it weren’t for these people. Many times, people overlook the lasting impacts of the people who came before you in your family. Having had the privilege of knowing all my grandparents and now witnessing the emergence of a new generation of Benavides, I am deeply reminded of the profound connection between the past and the future. Times may change, but one thing is forever…..family.
From my mother’s side of Italian and Irish Ancestry, I have learned the valuable lessons of honesty, discipline, and humor. My Mother's side taught me what it meant to enjoy the people you love. My grandfather, Michael Benedetto, was one of my role models and is still to this day. He always knew how to make me smile and never made me want for anything. Although he is as crazy as can be, my Grandmother Gerri Benedetto was always the voice of reason. A woman whom I consider a true inspiration, my grandmother is nothing short of a hero in the shadows. She kept a tight ship, but she always was there to be the one to pick you up when you fell off the saddle.
When looking at my father's Cuban Lineage, I am proud to say I attribute my hard work to the direct story of my Abuelos, Aldo, and Maria Benavides. Coming From Cuba in their earlier teenage years, my grandparents on my father’s side fought tooth and nail to find the success they have earned. Creating a Family company that still stands today within our Family. Our company, Aldo Design Group is not only an installation/interior design home company, but it stands for the pride of my father’s side of the family. Not only has it allowed generations of Benavides to live a comfortable life, but it is a constant reminder of the dream that two young Cuban teens had when trying to better their lives.
With Amazing Grandparents come even better kids, and fortunately, I can them Mom and Dad. My mother, Danielle Benavides, is nothing short of a true legend. Not only is she one of my best friends, but she is someone who never takes no for an answer. If there is a way to take care of it she will “make it happen”. With one of the most creative minds I know, my mother never fails to inspire me. She’s one of the most considerate yet honest people I know, and she always wants to watch her people succeed. My Father, Albert Benavides, is the one who has introduced me to most of the things I love. Football, Golf, Finance, and many more things my dad was the first person to share with me, and ultimately shaped the man I am today. Rather my coach, teacher, friend, or dad, he’s always been patient and compassionate towards my interests and desires. He has provided me with the greatest experiences in my life because of all the hard work he has done. I can never thank my parents enough.
With Two older brothers, Aidan and Albert Jr, I have been able to be inspired by the actions of people who have walked the path before me. Albert Jr., or Al, being my oldest brother has always managed to be the best teacher a little brother could ask for. He was always my buddy to play card games, go shoot hoops, and watch countless shows together. Being 9 years apart from my oldest brother is one of the coolest aspects of our relationship. He was old enough for me to be his little buddy, but now I stand here today watching him with his amazing wife start their own lives. My sister-in-law, Alexandra Benavides has been with my brother since the end of time. Being together since I was little it is astonishing to me that they watched me grow and now I watched them get married and bring my two beautiful nieces into this world. My nieces Adrianna and Alessia are my two little balls of joy.
My brother Aidan is a completely different story. Things weren’t always the smoothest for us and we frequently budded heads at a younger age. Being 5 years older than I am, he and I had the middle child-youngest child drama, but as an adult standing here today Aidan truly is one of my best friends. Together we always manage to find a great number of laughs and he will always be my buddy to explore new things with. Getting a tattoo on a whim, going to a new speakeasy bar, or finding the next coolest house event, Aidan is always down for the ride. Aside from being my friend, Aidan will always secretly be one of my biggest inspirations. He is strong-willed, tenacious, and could keep on pushing. If you asked him, he’d tell you the countless number of times he’s been knocked down, but every single time he’s gotten up and kept on moving.
As scroll along this website you will learn all about me, but the people I highlighted in this article are a direct reflection of who I am. From my grandparents to my little nieces, these people have given me countless lessons to form the man I am today. I couldn’t have learned resiliency, honesty, drive, humor, creativity, and so many more aspects about myself if it weren’t for these people. Many times, people overlook the lasting impacts of the people who came before you in your family. Having had the privilege of knowing all my grandparents and now witnessing the emergence of a new generation of Benavides, I am deeply reminded of the profound connection between the past and the future. Times may change, but one thing is forever…..family.