Family Over Everything
Much more than a tag line. Much more than a brand.
I grew up always knowing how important family was, it was instilled in me since I was a little girl. Our whole family lived for Sunday Dinners, which most do in an Italian household. I continued these traditions as well once I became a mother and wife in my own home.
“Family Over Everything” started during the hardest time of my life. While my ex husband was in jail, and I was facing jail time myself all while being a single mom to my three boys trying to hold it all together the best that I could. During this time my oldest son, Anthony, used to write me notes and leave them by the kitchen sink for me to see in the morning.
The very first one read,
"Mom, I never knew how strong you were until I saw you go through everything you are going through now. I love you so much!
Family over everything!
Love, Anthony"
Little did we both know what this was going to start.
When he was home for the summer from college he told me that he wanted to get a tattoo. And I said, Okay, what would you like to get?" And he said, "I want me and you to get matching ones." As I’m holding back my tears, I said," Omg yes! What would you like us to get?" He said, Something you always taught me 'Family Over Everything". Needless to say I would have gotten anything he wanted because he wanted us to have matching tattoos together and that meant more to me than anything. I would have gotten something on my forehead if he wanted to. Lol
So through a friend I booked with one of the best tattoo artist in New York at that time, Luke Wessman on IG as @lukewessman Luke had free hand drawn so many samples of Family Over Everything to show us to make sure that we picked the perfect one. Luke made our experience so amazing because he knew how special it was for us and the lifetime memory that we were about to create.
Literally right when we got home that night my other two sons, Rocco and Carlo started to ask when could they get theirs. Meanwhile, they were so young at the time. I told them when the time is right.
So on Rocco’s 18th birthday he had a Friday night football game, and when we came home from the game I had a tattoo artist at my home waiting for him to add the “Family Over Everything”on him as well! He was so happy and surprised!! Happy 18th Birthday Rocco!
And then when Carlo turned 17 he got his Family Over Everything tattoo too! Carlo has been planning his for awhile at this point and because he is the baby of the family he knew it was going to happen sooner than later. Lol. He had already been in the works talking with and scheduling his with the most talented tattoo artist who is world renowned but based here right in New Jersey. He knew just who and when he was going! Lol. This infamous tattoo artist, Ian known on IG as @unroyal_imig is now a dear friend of ours, he has done every single one of the boys arms and Robbie’s too! I’m next, and can’t wait to show you what he is doing on me!
The three words, Family Over Everything, that have kept and made me who I am today. It is now trademarked and a well known brand in my boutique adorned with clothing and kitchen items.
Having my boys and I with the matching Family Over Everything tattoo means the world to me. It means that this is what I taught them, this is what they will always remember about me and us, Our Legacy. And for that I will forever be proud and grateful.
Alicia xoxo
Comments
Hi Alicia, as you know I have three sons too. I always taught them as did their father that family is everything and always be there for your family. I am blessed to say they absolutely are! May God bless you and youir beautiful family.
Family over everything is something I was taught at a young age. Well written looking forward to reading more!
Such a beautiful story! I’ve been watching and following you since day one, and so happy to see what you have done and become ! Congratulations Bella ! In my family with my kids it’s “No Matter What” because no matter what we will always be there for each other and no matter what I will always be there for them xoxox
I read this as I sit in my 15yo son’s room & watch him play video games with his little brother & sisters. I’m a sobbing mess. My sister-in-law talk about your family dynamic & we absolutely adore it. You’re an incredible mother & it shines bright in those boys of yours.
This is so heartwarming, in my family wich is small and because I lost my parents young I say it’s family ( meaning no matter what we look out for each other) god bless you and your beautiful family
You’re an inspiration! I feel the love in everything you do. May you and yours be blessed in every aspect of your life. 💜
I love you girl! U are one of the best moms I know I wish u were my friend!! I am so much like you with my daughter and my only son ! I love you and seeing Your tic tocs and insta made more more of a better mom because of you !! Xo 😘 with love Gwen .. hope my kids cherish me as much as your boys do to you xo as well as your beautiful Vivi 💖she’s a baby dolly !
Alicia, I’ve been a follower of you and your amazing family for awhile. I’ve watched you on Mobwives long before & after even til now… I see you opening up about family and life but honestly went all can’t wait to read your blogs! Family is Everything to me as well, there’s absolutely nothing I wouldn’t for my kids. My third tattoo would be “Family Over Everything” one day so I could give myself a reminder of all that I’m thankful for.
With Much Love LV
PS. One day I’ll make it from Tx to visit your Boutique! Can’t wait to continue reading for future blogs.
You are a beautiful and inspirational person to so many. You have a beautiful family starting with your mom and I agree family over everything
I love this! Thanks for sharing ❤️
I love this!!! I followed you and your story from Mobwives and loved your personality, character and how you are as a mom to your boys. As I know many have previously told you, you are a true inspiration to us all as you have taught/reminded us “Family Over Everything” is the most important. I tell my family all the time, we are all we have. Friends may come and go but family, we stick together and we always come first. Thank you for sharing your story with us, we can’t wait to see more.
I love your story, I love your family:))))
I absolutely love this and yes “Family over Everything”
We also live for Family Sunday dinner as well-we also created tattoos on our arms that say “Sempre Domenica”
I have been following you for awhile and I absolutely adore your whole family and the beautiful relationship you all have! I warms my heart to see such love and adoration among you all! I don’t have siblings and ny elderly mom has Alzheimer’s so I have missed out on that experience… keep being positive and present for your fans! You make ppl smile…❤️❤️
Your story is absolutely amazing. I’ve been watching you since mob wives I know long time ago but from the end it was always about family and I respect that so much. I am very big with family to I love how you love your kids and how your boys absolutely adore you and your granddaughter Vivi well, that’s a whole other level of absolute unconditional LOVE and your amazing love story with your king Rob we have a lot of similarities in regards to being divorced with children and finding love and how OMG I married for the second time and I have an absolute gem as well . I have two older kids 30 & 27 two girls and I have an almost 13 year old son who believe it or not he had a hockey tournament in Mount Laurel New Jersey over the summer and we went to your restaurant because I had to go shop in your store as I do at least twice a week online but I had to go there and my son had to have your pizza. Well that being said we met Carlo he actually served us and I couldn’t talk enough about you to him, and he smiled with a giggle laugh to me . I can go on and on, but just thank you thank you thank you for your beautiful stories for the love of your family especially your mom she’s amazing my mom is 82 and we love her dearly. She’s in Florida loving you recipes just everything I love the fact how you hang out with your kids as you I hopefully one day when I take another trip to Jersey maybe that day I will come and see you the last two parties you had all your year anniversary I couldn’t make it I know one day it was very very bad weather and it’s far from me, I live in Long Island anyway I have no words You are so real as real as they come I don’t know you, but I feel like I know you forever and cousin Mo I met her that day she’s a doll you didn’t have your other restaurant open so it was bring your own bottle to Lassala and oh my God we had the best day I didn’t want to leave but I had to get back home anyway never stop doing what you’re doing because you guys are the best . TY again ❤️🥰❤️
Omg your story is amazing and gave me the chills. I always says family is first. You are an amazing mom the way ur boys are with you is amazing please keep sharing your beautiful story. Your granddaughter is gorgeous and the way she looks at each and everyone is precious
I loved reading the back story to “ family over everything “. Very touching.
I have been a fan of yours since mob wives.
Love this! The relationship I have with my son is so special and like no other! I always love looking at your posts since my son is only 7 because I really do think this is the relationship we’ll have when he is older. I love that you started a blog and hope you always talk about your kids!!
I love your blog I love your story, and as in most Italian families, it is family over everything and your families truly lives the words
Love this! Having 2 boys of my own I totally understand. I would do anything for them!!❤️
Beautiful story about family