As Thanksgiving approached and then quickly left, I thought a great deal about what I truly am thankful for. I feel more thankful for things than in years past because this year is the first year I am on my own in a sense. Through starting college, learning things I wished I had learned in high school, and having to deal with not seeing my family every day, being thankful for things this year is very different from my years I have lived with my parents. When I was thinking about these things, I thought about who or what impacted my life and these are what I came up with.

1. My Parents

It's kind of cheesy because everyone says it but I am truly thankful for them. The never ending support, the love and more importantly they understanding that I will mess up along the way and I know they will be there when I get back up.

2. My Brother

Ever since I was little, I couldn't wait to get away from him. I mean I loved him but the fighting towards who gets the biggest piece of the pie got old. But since I have gone to school, I have missed him. Missing him joking around with me, his accents he does(which are very accurate at times) and his support. Going away has made us grow closer and I'm very thankful for that.

3. Family

Since moving to Georgia, I am guaranteed to see my aunts and uncles about once a month. But in college, that doesn't happen. Driving to Dahlonega from Thanksgiving was the best because I knew the family I have missed dearly will be there. Their support and love for my dreams are never ending.

4. My Roommates

Now I personally don't have those "Roommate from Hell" stories which I am very thankful for. Those 3 girls I live with are probably the coolest people I have met in college so far. They are understanding, kind, loving and supportive. I love doing homework with them, complaining about certain teachers, and having weekly movie nights. I have truly missed them this week.

5. My Sorority Family

My sorority family, Kelsey, Ashley, Kelly, and Alissa are the best things that have happened to me. Going into a sorority, I didn't think I could find a group of girls that I could actually call family. And when the curtain dropped at Big/Little reveal, inside I was crying because I already knew they were amazing, supportive and strong women but I knew they saw that in me and wanted me to be in their amazing family.

6. Gamma Phi Beta

Going to college, I was worried I wouldn't make any friends. Nervous about going to a big school and just being a face in the crowd. So when the last day of registering for recruitment came about, I decided to just go for it. Finding Gamma Phi Beta though made me feel like part of something bigger. I'm not just a face in the crowd. I can proudly and thankfully say I'm part of an organization that I stand by 110%.

7. The Sentinal

I honestly have to thank Emily Dukes for this. That one day I saw you taking photos near the student center and I asked you what you were shooting for changed my life. I am thankful to find a group of people that accept me from my crazy self and I love feeling like I can turn to the photographers of The Sentinal for anything and everything.

8. Being able to go to school

Living in the United States, going to college is a normal, society driven thing. But in other countries, going to college is a luxury. I am very thankful that I live in a country where going to school is common and that our government helps send kids through college.

9. Being a woman going to school

Like the one above, women are slowly getting to become equal in the workforce. In other countries, it isn't common or even accepted for women to go to school. Being a woman going to school and even majoring in a male driven career path is very empowering for me and it is one of the main things I am thankful for.

10. Summer Camp

Everyone looks forward to summer for the beach, getting a tan, and not having to do homework. I look forward to summer differently than most people. Summer is the time I get to see my favorite people in the whole world. My 3 best friends and I met at this summer camp just 3 years ago and honestly, we were best friends the minute we laid eyes on each other. I am thankful for the camp that does amazing things every year and I'm thankful for the memories up in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

11. The 204 Girls

Now, these 3 girls I spoke of. Well, one thing I can say is that I'm thankful for all the memories we have. From Monday night ice cream fest, Taylor Swift and Halsey jam sessions, dancing parties in the hallway in our pj's and all the weekend flea market finds. I truly love these girls with all of my heart and their support and love continues through the months we don't see each other.

12. Scouting

"Omg, you are in Boy Scouts? But you are a girl?!" An accurate statement about my life that I get about every day. I am thankful for the opportunities that I have been given through Scouting. I have hiked 12 days in New Mexico, spent a week on a sailboat, met about 1,000 people from around the globe in West Virginia and so many other amazing adventures. Because of Scouting, I have had many opportunities that I would have never had.

13. My cats

Even though I get an allergic reaction every time I go home, I still love them to death and I'm thankful I get to come home to two beautiful cats.

14. Philmont

Two years ago, I got the opportunity to hike through a famous Boy Scout camp called Philmont. All during training I was very nervous about it, thinking I wasn't able to finish my trek. But one the last day of the hike as I ate lunch, I reflected on everything that happened in the last 12 days and at that moment I decided I would come back to this place. I decided then that this place is a home and a home needs people to come back too. Through not showering for 12 days to not having phone service(which is easier than people think), I am grateful for that opportunity and I would give anything to go back there.

15. To everyone

Everyone that I have ever met, talked to for 2 minutes or for years, has made an impact on me and I'm thankful for that. I completely think that you become the person you are from the friends you have made. I look through my Facebook friends and my contacts on my phone and at each name I think about a memory that I had with them and I am thankful for that memory no matter how big or small it was... I am thankful for everyone that has come through my life.

I hope you have had an amazing Thanksgiving and I hope you had a chance to think about what you are thankful for.