As my third year of college comes to close, I'm also celebrating my twenty-first year of life on this planet. With so much new coming my way, it seems like a good time to mention all the things that got me where I am. I've been really lucky in life, so here are 21 things that I'm thankful for in honor of my twenty-first birthday.

1. My family, first and foremost. The first people to put up with me and who made me who I am.

2. My friends, old and new, at every point in my life. They're there when I need them to boost me up, or when I need to be knocked down a peg. Thanks to them, my life is full of laughter and memes.

3. My education. I've been extremely fortunate to attend stellar schools and it's shaping my future in ways I never could have wished for.

4. My all-girls Catholic high school. Along the lines of education, I resent certain things about those four years but in many ways, it made me stronger and showed me who I am. For that, I'm thankful.

5. My college professors. They push me to my breaking point, but they're preparing the next generation of greatness and I get to be part of that.

6. The community of students at the University of Maryland. It's humbling to be a part of a group of such forward-thinking, innovative, and accepting student body.

7. My individuality. I'm a weird person, there's no denying that. A lot of different things contribute to who I am, from 2007 emo music to cupcakes and Disney, I'm thankful that I can be who I am, even if other people don't always get it.

8. My roommates. We're like a weird, twisted family but they've eased me into the life of a real adult. At least, a real adult who eats at least 3 packs of fruit snacks a day.

9. My boyfriend. My best friend and the biggest annoyance in my life, I'm so thankful for his unwavering love and support, and even his stupid jokes.

10. All the places I've been. I'm thankful for the small bit of the world that I've been lucky enough to see, all the culture I've experienced.

11. All the cultures I have yet to discover. I'm so thankful for the diversity of this world, and I'm hopeful that someday I'll get to see it.

12. My body. I've put my physical form through hell and back, from spending most of varsity volleyball falling on the floor, to the college kid diet, to bleaching my hair on a whim, but my body has continued to keep me going and for that I am thankful. 1

3. Fresh air, new cut grass, all the things that make me sneeze but may not always be around. I'm thankful to wake up every day and see the beauty of nature.

14. Freedom. A lot of things about our the future of our country are uncertain, but for now I'm thankful that I can wake up and walk outside and not cower in fear. I hope for a future that never looks like that.

15. Health and medicine. I'm thankful for my health, and I'm thankful that my loved ones have their health, and I'm thankful for the advancements in medicine that keep them around. I'm also thankful for the field that I'm going into, I'm thankful for the opportunity to help people.

16. Music. Music has been a constant in my life in one way or another. Music gives me the freedom to be myself, whoever I may be that day, and to share it with people who feel the same.

17. My car. It sounds stupid, but I'm extremely lucky to not only have a car of my own, but also one that continues to run after 12 years and holds in its upholstery the best memories or road trips, laughter, and midnight McDonald's stops.

18. Coffee. In the least basic white girl way possible, coffee is part of every single day of my life. It starts my day like a sunrise. It's simple and enjoyable; it's something I can enjoy alone or with my best friends.

19. Actually, just food in general. Anyone who knows me knows I have an obsession with all things food (eating it, cooking it, watching Food Network). I'm thankful that food is something universal, everyone can partake and feel connected. I'm thankful that I always have enough to eat, and I'm thankful for everyone working to bring that to others.

20. Dogs. It may seem silly, and satirical but in all honesty dogs are a pure and happy reminder that sometimes, the most important part of life is being joyful and carefree.

21. All the experiences that got me here. I haven't paid much thought to most of them, but there isn't a doubt in my mind that any small change would be the perfect example of the butterfly effect. Small things can add up to a big difference.

Twenty-one things that have had a huge impact on me. Twenty-one things that, for better and sometimes for worse, got me to where I am today. This definitely isn't a complete list, but being thankful for what you do have is sometimes the best reminder of how amazing things can be.