I love this season. It’s definitely my favorite of the four — winter, holidays, gifts, cheer, everyone is just generally in a happy mood. And that makes me happy. But what I love most about this time of year is that it incites gratitude. It’s a time when we think about our lives, reflect on the past year, grant wishes for family and friends. It’s a much-needed pause in the fast-paced world. Each year, my list of Thankfuls grows leaps and bounds.

As I “grow up” I find myself becoming more and more grateful for my wonderful, supportive family. Almost a year and a half ago, I embarked on the journey of my lifetime (at least thus far). With grace and pride, my family has stood behind me the entire way. Especially through the rough patches, it’s good to know I can always count on my family.

I am fortunate enough to to have six living grandparents, and I couldn’t be more grateful for their health and happiness. The ability to form such strong bonds and relationships with my grandparents has (and continues to be) incredibly valuable and irreplaceable. I am so thankful they are alive and well and I have grown close to all of them.

True friendships are few and far between. As I’ve learned, friends come and go, but it’s the true friends, the ones that you are inexplicably bonded to are the ones that stay forever. I am blessed to have had the strength in my friendship with Ali to be able to maintain our closeness between the miles. I am so grateful (and amazed!) I was able to find my counterpart (and soulmate) in Casi. And friends I haven’t even met yet, but am incredibly close to, like Liz and Kaci, whom I can turn to for absolutely anything — we are each other’s rocks.

My life in San Francisco has been a dream. Seriously, I sometimes wake up and pinch myself to make sure I’m actually awake. How everything fell into place (and continues to do so) still amazes me. For that, I am incredibly grateful.

I work hard. Very hard. But that’s because I love my job, and I am so thankful that Context Optional remains my work family. The opportunities I’ve been given, everything I’ve learned in the last year and a half, just…incredible.

I am thankful for all of the opportunities I’ve been given to learn and grow in San Francisco. From learning photography to social media events, I’ve grown my personal and professional network more than ever. This city is a launchpad, and I plan on continuing to take advantage of all it has to offer.

I know I don’t say this often (hardly ever), but I’m extraordinarily grateful for all of you. When I started The Off Beat Report almost two years ago, I had no idea the community it would build, the relationships it would forage, and the experience it would provide. So, thank you. Thank you for reading, relating, and making me feel like I always have a place, my place, to share with all of you.

This year, I’m going back to Colorado for Thanksgiving to spend it with my entire family (grandparents included). I couldn’t be more excited!

What are some of your Thankfuls this year?