As I have grown older, Thanksgiving has earned its title as one of my favorite holidays. I think its different when you're a kid because there isn't much you can participate in aside from collecting pine cones and making construction paper turkeys at school, watching A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, and of course, eating the food that doesn't weird you out. Don't get me wrong, all of those reasons made Thanksgiving awesome, but now that I am an adult there is a lot more that makes me want to dance around with a turkey on my head in excitement for Turkey Day.

1. The Food

As a kid, sweet potato casserole frightened me because there were marshmallows on them. This was probably the weirdest American creation to exist to me; next to beets and that weird jiggly thing that came out of a can...

Now that I am older, my taste buds have allowed me to look past my fears as a kid and enjoy the classic Thanksgiving foods-- where literally everything on the plate goes hand and hand with each other. You know this is true because the day after, you just throw all the leftovers together in a big pot and eat it like that. Mom calls it 'Leftover Thanksgiving Casserole', and it is dang good.

2. The Conversation

Immediately after eating, the kids rush to avoid talking. Now that I am older, I appreciate the conversation more than ever.

Before and after the feast, the conversations always get pretty interesting. Here you can explore the past with your relatives, conspire and laugh... Add some wine and some hard cider-- you might end up with questions like; "so how is school? Are you talking to anyone? When do you graduate? You're not single are you?"

3. The TV

A tradition that virtually every American participates in is having the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on their TV. From the Broadway performances and the Rockettes, marching bands and the our favorite floats... no kid or adult wants to miss out on this 1924 tradition.

Later in the evening, Grandpa conquers his spot on the coach and snores the night away. The kids gather too close to the TV, and some of us watch from the kitchen still picking at the food. Switching between football and Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, tradition in my household rules that at the end of the night we jump into the Christmas spirit and watch our favorite movie: National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.

4. Family

It all comes down to one word: family.

Spending time with family is rare nowadays. As the kids grow up and our busy work and school schedules takeover, Thanksgiving brings us back together where we can enjoy each other's company.

As a college student, I am blessed with the support of my family, so it is always nice to have a designated day to give thanks to the people who mean the most to me.