It's that time of year again that we decide to hyper-focus on the things that we are thankful for. It's a very expected thing to be thankful for one's family, but how much do we really observe that? Do we really stop to think about why we are happy for these people? Who do we even consider our family, and what makes them our family? What makes us specifically thankful for each family member individually? As a group? Well, these are the people I consider family. I consider these people family for so many reasons: they're related to me by love, they encourage me, support me. These are the people that have been there for me in person, over the phone, and through hand-written letters. They have given me love, advice, forgiveness, and prayers. They have caught so many of my sad tears and have been the reason for so many happy ones. I love them and,

I am thankful.

Of course there a few I either don't have photos of, or would blow up my phone with angry face emojis if I put their photos on the internet, so those select few are not pictured here.

Thank you, family, for everything you've done for me. The outpouring of love I have experienced this past year is overwhelming and amazing. Thank you. I love you.