On November 25, 2016, I celebrated a holiday that is not on any official calendar. It is not advertised on TV or online. Instead, it is a holiday newly celebrated by the younger generation. This holiday is appropriately named "Friendsgiving."

Like Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving is a joyous time where loved ones gather together for merry occasion. Friendsgiving is widely popular with college students who have either 1) developed friendships with those attending the same university as them or 2) have existing friendships with those they were close with in high school and therefore do not usually see on a daily basis. According to Urban Dictionary, Friendsgiving was created so friends can get together because in most cases each individual is with their family on the Thanksgiving. Either way, Friendsgiving is one meal where friends set aside their time and distractions to fellowship together.

Unlike traditional Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving is not nationally celebrated on the same day. Each friend group celebrates the holiday on a different day and in a different manner.

On November 25, six out of ten people from my friend group got together. All of us have known each other for 4 years because we attended the same high school and competed on Speech Team together. The ten of us were around each other a lot in coaching and our relationship developed outside of competition. In our friend group, there is one senior in college, three juniors, five sophomores (including myself), and one freshmen. We are spread out across seven states, with distances stretching from Utah to North Carolina. The last time we were altogether was in May, and that was only for a short time before we each dispersed for summer. Even though we constantly text and follow each other on social media, it is so hard being apart. In high school, we saw each other six days out of the week. Once we started college, it became harder to keep in touch. And on breaks from school, it became harder to get together. Our families want to see us, we work, and take care of personal responsibilities.

But before the turkey on Thursday, six of us sat down together and had a lovely meal. We shared stories of this semester and reminesed in memories of the past. We quoted inside jokes and almost fell out of our seats with laughter. Instead of stuffing we had stir fry, and instead of pumpkin pie we had plantains. Yes, we were untraditional. But that's the beauty of Friendsgiving; it is a holiday created and defined friends.

Thanksgiving will always be a staple in American culture. In my Friendgroup, Friendsgiving has become our tradition. This year, I am grateful for the memories I have made will them, and the memories we have yet to create. As I begin this week, I am reminded how much they mean to me. No amount of distance can distroy the connections we have with eachother. With the Fall Holiday Season coming to a close, I bid you all a Happy Thanksgiving!