For those of you who know me, you know I say “blessed” a lot — almost too much. But in thinking about my life over the past few months, I wanted to write about the true blessings in my life and how truly blessed I really am.

First off, the fact that I have a relationship with Jesus and can openly share that and grow in it is the biggest blessing of all. Jesus has revealed himself to me in so many ways throughout my life, and I can’t even begin to thank Him for His Love and peace that He so graciously pours out over me daily. I am blessed to have a relationship with Jesus Christ.

My family is another huge blessing. Besides the Lord, they are my rock. I have a father and mother who truly love me and who genuinely want to see me do well — not to mention they’ll do anything they can to ensure that I am able and equipped to take on whatever life throws at me. I have a sister who I can talk to about anything and everything and a brother who I can joke around with and relate to in so many ways. I am blessed to have my family.

The friends that I have are always there for me, whether it’s my DRB brothers from back home and at Alabama and ECU, or my Emory & Henry brethren that are constantly making life enjoyable. I’m thankful for my roommate Alic, who puts up with my music blaring, my semi-untidy side of the room, me taking his Sprites occasionally, and so much more. My boy McClung who, throughout his spontaneous (and sometimes annoying) actions, always seems to make me laugh and just be myself. Clif, who is always singing and keeping the mood alive with his yoppers and fleeks. Jarris, who never ceases to make me and everyone laugh no matter what the circumstance is. Sean, who is at the University of Alabama but who I know is always there for me as our brotherly bond grew strong in high school. There are so many more friends and people who have positively shaped my life and for them I’m so grateful. I am blessed to have the friends that I have.

The girl who I met at Cookout one night after a Wiz/Fallout Boy concert — yeah, that’s my beautiful girlfriend, Torianne. She is so amazing and I get so happy when I see her smile every day. I’m so thankful that she can put up with my weirdness and spontaneity because Lord knows not a lot of people can. She never ceases to brighten my day no matter what the circumstance and I know I can talk to her about anything and she’ll be there for me. Her taste in music is impeccable and I’m blown away at who she is as a person and her passion to want to serve society. I am blessed to have Torianne.

Emory & Henry College is a HUGE blessing within itself, but inside of Emory a multitude of blessings have arisen. The E&H basketball team is my band of brothers on and off the court. No matter what the day entails, I know that we are going to get through it together as a team and as a brotherhood. I immediately felt like a part of the family when I arrived here and I still do. No matter my mistakes and flaws on the court, my brothers are always there to support and encourage me when they could easily bring me down. I am blessed to play E&H basketball with my teammates.

There are sooo many more blessings that I have in my life, but these are just a few that I have on my heart.

I am blessed.