This year is the first time I won’t be celebrating Thanksgiving in America. In the past, I’ve always spent time with my family, traveling with Jon, or with his family. It’s a weird feeling being in Europe because no one even thinks about Thanksgiving except the American expats. I’ve been seeing a lot of postsfrom friends and other bloggers as they spend time with family or get together with friends to celebrate. It makes me a little bit sad to not be celebrating on the actual day, but Jon’s family is flying in for the weekend to do a Saturday turkey dinner.
In the meantime, something that doesn’t depend on the day of the week is my ability to reflect on what I’m grateful for this year. It’s a long list, but a few important ones are below. What are you grateful for this year?
MY BOYFRIEND
It’ll be five years this spring, and I almost can’t believe it. We’ve been through tons of ups and downs, lived together and lived halfway around the world from each other, and taken on so many new adventures. Jon is my rock in every sense, and he continues to push me to get outside my comfort zone. He’s my favorite travel companion and puts up with all my girlyness without a fuss. I’m so lucky to have him.
FAMILY (always)
But even more than that, my super supportive parents. They’ve seen me through several life-changing moves. They were there when I left school to move to Colorado to train full-time as an ice-dancer, when I moved to NYC with only three suitcases and needed everything shipped three months later, and this time, when Jon and I moved across the world. I couldn’t be more grateful for parents like mine.
MY FRIENDS
In New York, in Dallas, in San Fransisco, in Charleston, in Chicago. One of the things I’ve been very lucky to find are amazing girlfriends who I can always jump right back in with despite the distance. They make me laugh with their texts and snapchats, and they make me smile with their words of encouragement both in this move and starting this blog.
LIFE IN AMSTERDAM
This list wouldn’t be complete without sharing my gratefulness for the opportunity to live in Amsterdam. I’m constantly waxing poetic about this move, but it really has changed me and my life for the better. I’m so happy to experience other cultures and see the world, and I know this is something I will NEVER forget.
Lastly, a few of the sillier things I’m grateful for:
- My mom’s sweet potato casserole recipe that I’ll be making this Saturday (complete with toasted marshmallows)
- Vanilla Bean Noel body lotion that already has me smelling like Christmas
- The professional grade espresso machine at my office (life saver!)
- Los Feliz margs and guacamole that make it feel a little more like home
- My bike because I’m now obsessed with riding everywhere
- Waterproof mascara for when I ride said bike through the rain
Happy Thanksgiving in the USA way,
Thanks, Melvin! Hope you had a great one yourself!