Game 7 of the 2016 World Series between the Chicago Cubs and the Cleveland Indians was one of the most intense, drama-filled baseball games in history. The Cubs had not won a World Series since 1908, and the Indians had not won since 1948. Because I grew up a Cubs fan, I was 100% invested in making sure that this was our year to win big--and we sure did. There are five shoutouts that I need to give after watching my Cubbies finally win.

1. To my grandma

Thank you for being the first one to teach me about being a Cubs fan. I will always remember how you would keep up with them throughout the whole season, whether that be reading about the games in the paper or watching them on TV or even taking the train to Wrigley to watch them play. Thank you for taking my sister and I to a few games when we would visit Chicago during the summer. Every ounce of my being wishes you were here to see them win the final game last week.

2. To my father

Thank you for making sure my sister and I grew up as Cubs fans even after we moved away from Chicago. You have taught me so much about dedication and loyalty. You've never once jumped on the bandwagon for another team just because the Cubs were playing poorly. I'm so happy I could be in the same room with you when they won; I'll never forget your reaction.

3. To the kids that made fun of me in elementary school

In elementary school, other Missouri kids would make fun of my Cubs shirts, my Cubs pencil pouch, and my Cubs backpack that I had for a little bit because it made me different. The fact that I was made fun of for being a Cubs fan for so long only makes this win sweeter. These bragging rights were 108 years in the making.

4. To Missouri in general

Missouri bleeds blue and red for the Kansas City Royals and the St. Louis Cardinals. People have literally called me out for wearing Cubs apparel in Missouri because it's un-Missouri-like. Joke's on you--I had pride wearing a Cubs hat when they used to lose all the time and I still have the same amount of pride now (okay, maybe a little bit more).

5. To the media

The Chicago Cubs have been the laughing stock of baseball for so many years. Every media outlet loved to talk about the Curse of the Billy Goat, the Steve Bartman incident, and just how bad the Cubs were in general. The media can still talk about that all they want, but at the end of the story, they must mention that the curses are a thing of the past.