A couple months ago, I was in a really tough place and I was fighting depression. After months of therapy and getting rid of toxic people in my life, I feel like I am starting to get better. Most days are good, if not superb, and I haven’t felt this happy in so long. The sun is shining and so am I. I feel accomplished in how far I have come and so, the following is a bunch of Thank You notes to the people who have helped me the most.

Mom – Thank you for accepting me no matter what. Thank you for supporting my dreams and ambitions. Thank you for never letting me doubt how much you love me. Thank you for showing me what it’s like to be a successful career woman and a mom.

Dad – Thank you for being hard on me. Thank you for showing me what’s right and wrong, and for never doubting my judgements. Thank you for being my pal, and for pushing me to be the best person I can be. Thank you for destroying me at Monopoly when I was kid, it was character growth.

My brother – Thank you for being born, although I should thank mom and dad for that. Thank you for being my best bud for nineteen years and thank you for being my friend even though I bullied you when we were kids.

My best friend – Thank you for the best relationship I have ever had with anyone. Thank you for being my platonic soulmate. Thank you for supporting me, and validating me, and for calling me out when I need to be called out. Thank you for all of the inside jokes, and the vacation you took me on. Also, thank your mom and Tia for their salsa. I really miss their salsa.

My best friend who is 2,000 miles away – Thank you for being a text message away from comfort. Thank you for sticking by my side for almost seven years. Thank you for making me laugh and cry and smile.

My friends who I consider sisters – Thank you for always having my back. Thank you for loving me and supporting me in continuing school. Thank you for accepting the fact that I’m terrible at staying in touch with you and also knowing I love you with every ounce of my being. Thank you for being the best.

My Ex – Thank you for showing me what I want out of a relationship. Thank you for teaching me not to settle.

My dog – Thank you for being the best bundle of joy I could ever wish for. Thank you for taking me on walks every other day. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for being cute.

To the person I really like and you like me back, but it’s complicated and we’re trying to figure that out – Thank you for being cute. Thank you for believing in God and showing me that I have good inside of me. Thank you for listening to me. Thank you for being the kind of person I want to settle down with, and not settle for. Thank you for making me watch "Bob’s Burgers."

To my professors and teachers – Thank you for challenging me to be a better scholar. Thank you for passing on your knowledge. Thank you for molding me into a future educator. Thank you for inspiring me to continue my education.

To my grandparents – Thank you for sending me the red heart emoji when I told you I was gay. Thank you for loving me unconditionally.

To myself – Thank you for fighting.