As a child we would celebrate Thanksgiving at my aunt’s house every year. The adults would holler over to the kids table, “Make sure you go around the table and say what you’re thankful for!” It became tradition that we always do this. And even now, even though our dinner traditions have changed and it’s usually a different house every year, my mother still insists we go around the table and say what we’re thankful for. There are many, many things I am thankful for. My family and friends for sure, and then there are little things as well.

So I am going to give you, and my mother, my week full of thankfuls.

Today, my parents.

I adore my parents. I actually consider them my closest friends. I don’t mind spending a Friday evening with them. I enjoy it. If it’s sharing a beer with my dad while he’s cooking chili, or going through my mom’s wardrobe to weed out what’s hot and what’s not. I truly enjoy their company.

I am who I am because of my parents. Not only did I, and still do I might add, have daddy wrapped around my little finger (what little girl doesn’t), but my dad and I would do a lot together when I was a kid. We would go fishing or just run some errands together. I loved when he would let me shift the transmission in the car while he pumped the clutch. He never lost his patience with me when I had a tough time finding 5th gear. I think I was the only one in my group of friends who could drive a standard when I had my learners permit. He gave me confidence and a feeling of independence, but more importantly there was trust.

I’m thankful for my mom’s words of encouragement. She always believed I could do anything. When I thought something I did was mediocre, she thought it was fabulous. She gave me self-esteem which is so important. I know I’m valued, I know I’m loved, and I know that they will always do what they can for me.

And I am SUPER thankful that they take my boys once a month for a sleep over…I am ever so grateful!

So I am very, very thankful for my awesome parents.