Just like many people, I have always loved the holiday season.

Finally getting a break from classes, coming home for home-cooked meals, seeing family members you haven't seen in months and spending time with those who matter the most to you. But this, year as I sat at my grandparent's house for Thanksgiving, I found myself reflecting on how much my life has changed in the past year. I thought about every hardship I thought I wouldn't survive, every smile I gained and friendship I've made.

And for the many life lessons I have learned along the way. So for all the good, the bad, and the ugly that life has brought, I have so much to be thankful to my family for.

For teaching me the importance of family.

Being blessed with a massive, loud family that chooses to get together for every occasion, no matter how big or how small, I have learned the importance of family. No matter what life may throw your way, your family will be there whether you want them to or not.

For teaching me I can do anything I set my mind too.

There will always be people who will doubt you or will want to tell you that you cannot do/accomplish something. It won't matter what it may be. But none of that matters if YOU believe you can do it. The sky will always be the limit and only you can stop yourself from achieving your dreams.

For showing me that blood doesn't make you family.

I am a firm believer that it doesn't matter whether you're actually related or not to a person in order for them to be family. Going away to college and meeting some of my best friends have taught me that first hand. These friends become your family away from home and blood couldn't make you any closer.

For teaching me inner strength.

This past year was a roller coaster of highs and lows. There have been times where I couldn't catch my breath and felt like the world was against me and moments of pure happiness where I thought my heart would explode. We never know what life is going to throw at us, but each obstacle we overcome teaches us a lesson and shows us our personal strength.

For showing me the importance of loyalty and honesty.

"Give me honesty and loyalty and I promise to give you the world." We all need people in our lives who will be brutally honest with us even when the truth may hurt. Sometimes we need people to tell us when we're being stupid or overthinking what another person said. And we all need loyalty in our lives. I'm not just talking about the relationship loyalty between you and your significant other, I'm talking the loyalty within your family, within your friend group and the loyalty we give to other people. We need people in or corner who will always have our backs around every turn and through all of life's ups and downs.

And for teaching me that I am enough.

We live in a world where we care way too much about what other's think of us. We take 47 different selfies before finally getting the perfect one to post on social media. And we allow our significant others to have a huge impact on how we feel about ourselves. I once let a relationship define who I was as a person, so when it ended, I had no idea who I was and I felt like I would never be enough. But this year has taught me that I am enough and I don't need another person to tell me that. I am a strong, confident woman who can do anything I set my mind too.

We can learn nearly everything from our families, whether it be what we should wear to our senior prom in high school, the type of person we should or shouldn't date to how to be a good person. I know I was blessed with an amazing family and I don't know what I would do without them. So on this day and every day, I am thankful for the family I have and the person I have been and will continue to become thanks to each and every one of them.