It's that time of year again: turkeys are roasting in the ovens, Black Friday shopping is occurring, and people all across the country are holding hands and declaring their thanks. While this physical act was never a part of my family traditions, it hasn't stopped me from thinking about what I am indeed thankful for. There are quite a few people I'm thankful for, without whom I would not be who I am or where I am today. In light of what I've overcome and accepted, this Thanksgiving is especially important to me. So in the spirit of thanks, here are a few paragraphs of what I am thankful for.

My family first and foremost is what I am thankful for. Even when I might not have known it, they were my biggest supporters and were there when I thought no on else was. This support and love I feel has grown since the revelation of the last six years of my life has only grown, and I have never been more happy. I'm thankful for my mom for all the support she gave, the advice she offered, being my shoulder to cry on, and just being there as my best friend when I needed someone to laugh and have fun with. I'm thankful for my dad for all his support, his tough love to push me to challenge myself, his dad jokes and all his tech support help. I'm thankful for my sister and her fangirling with me, her eye rolls at my puns, and her being there when I wasn't brave enough to tell our parents what was going on. I'm thankful for my grandparents - Nonna, Papa, and Grandma - for all the years of love and leftovers they given me. I'm thankful for all of my family being supportive of what I want to do.

My friends are a huge part of my life. I'm thankful for alll of my close friends back home that even college and state differences can't keep us apart. I'm thankful for Maria and her constant love and support of me, for her puns, and for her never giving up on me. I'm thankful for Natalie and her continuance in my life and all the carpools we've done. I'm thankful for Deanna and the nerdiness we share, for all the sleepovers, and being the twin I never had. I'm thankful for Maura - my partner in crime, my music buddy, the other half of the mass-playing duo. I'm thankful for the Duda sisters, Elise and Lexi, for being my saviors and the first meaningful friends I made in youth band. I'm thankful for Cailyn, who has been there since first grade and never left my side. I'm thankful for my amazing friend group at Washington College. I never thought I would find such a supportive, caring, loving and funny group, but I did. I'm thankful for them being so open and welcoming to me when I met them. I'm thankful for all the laughs, memes and memories we have shared together. I'm thankful for all the support they have given me and all they have taught me. Most importantly, I'm thankful for each and every one of them - for Hannah, Mairin, Sydney, Drake, Will, and Jilly.

My roommate is my friend, but she deserves her own paragraph. I'm thankful for Emma and her continued ability to put up with me. I'm thankful for her consistently being there for me and making sure I was okay. I'm thankful for all the Oreo's and Dunkin' Donuts she's bought me. I'm thankful for when she took care of me when I was sick. I'm thankful for all the laughs we've shared in our room late at night. I'm thankful for the memories we've made and that we have another semester together.

My life back in Frederick is a huge part of who I am, and deserve thanks. I'm thankful for my church St. Ignatius of Loyola for brining me closer to God and teaching me how to learn to love myself. I'm thankful for all the opportunities the church offered me - from playing flute in music ministry to teaching classes in peer ministry. I'm thankful for my high school Saint John's Catholic Prep and for all the teachers who helped me get to where I am today academically. I'm thankful for my neighbors, who watched me grow up and treated me as if I was their own child. I'm thankful for my job as a nanny and for my boss and her family. I'm thankful for all of my volunteer leaders, and for everyone in Frederick who helped me succeed and get to where I am today. My time in Frederick would have been very different without all of them.

Lastly, I am thankful for Washington College and all the things it has offered me. The College has offered me more than an education, it has offered me a home and a place I love to come. The next four years are going to full of amazing opportunities that I will remember forever. There is no other place I would rather attend.