It's finally that time of year again. A time to stuff your face, fall into a mindless food coma and then jolt yourself back into action to face another battle in the war known as Black Friday. While the food and shopping is incredible (and I mean INCREDIBLE), we cannot lose touch on the true meaning of Thanksgiving: To give thanks. So in honor of this wonderful holiday, here is a letter of thanks to the most important people in my life.

Thank you to my mother. Thank you for not giving up on me, no matter how many stupid mistakes I make. For taking care of me when I was sick and nasty, even though you knew I would get you sick. For staying up late with me and helping me with the projects that I procrastinated on. For driving me to and from events, even though you had no interest in going. For maintaining your strength and dignity no matter what life threw at you. For being my inspiration.

Thank you to my father. Thank you for always looking out for me. For telling it to me straight, even if it wasn't what I wanted to hear. For constantly pushing me to be the best I can be. For teaching me that nothing great comes without hard work. For keeping me focused on my goals. For never giving up on your dreams and never allowing me to give up on mine. For showing me that you're never too old to learn something new. For being my guiding light.

Thank you to my siblings. Thank you for accepting all of my craziness. For allowing me to get mad over stupid stuff and still loving me despite it all. For making me laugh harder than anyone else ever could. For staying up late and talking to me about nothing and everything all at once. For being proud of my accomplishments, no matter how small they are. For looking up to me and making me want to be a person you can look up to. For being my motivation.

Thank you to my family. Thank you for being strong supporters of everything I do. For continuing to love me through thick and thin. For caring about me and keeping me in your thoughts, no matter the distance. For welcoming me back with open arms every time we reunite. For doing your best to protect me from all the harm in the world. For giving me the courage to chase my dreams, no matter how big they are. For being my backbone.

Thank you to my best friends. Thank you for staying up late and listening to my problems. For telling me the truth, no matter how painful it is. For getting excited with me when I meet a guy and taking care of me if he breaks my heart. For letting me ask you my embarrassing questions and giving me a judgment free answer. For going on adventures with me at all hours. For trusting me enough to let me into your world and being someone I can trust with mine. For being my missing pieces.

Thank you to my best friends' moms. Thank you for being my second mothers. For taking care of me, even though you have your own children to worry about. For treating me as one of your own. For asking about me, just to make sure I'm doing all right. For letting me tag along in your family affairs. For being my helping hand.

And lastly, thank you to everyone that I have met along the way. Thank you for introducing me to new things and people. For shaping and molding me along the way. For allowing me to venture out and find myself. For being a part of my past, even if you aren't a part of my future. For adding new pieces to the puzzle I call my life. For being my adventure.