Happy Thanksgiving

That time of year for reflection.

Happy Thanksgiving, y’all.

I’ve been sitting here thinking about how this year has been a lot—good, bad, and straight-up ridiculous—and how the one steady thing has been the people who answer my texts, laugh at my stories, and talk me off various ledges, real and imaginary.

That’s you.

I’m grateful for the big things, sure, but I’m just as grateful for the small ones: late-night messages, shared memes, gossip, prayers, cussing, Facebook reels, and the kind of love that lets me be my whole feral self without flinching. You’re the family I got to choose, and I don’t take that lightly.

So wherever you are today—elbow-deep in a turkey, hiding in the bathroom from relatives, or eating pie over the sink—I’m thankful for you. Deeply, loudly, and on purpose.

Love you more than sweet potato casserole with marshmallows and chopped pecans.

—Carol