As the holidays roll around, most of us college students will be spending more time with our families than we've spent in months. This can be insane. I come from a fairly big family, especially when you count the extended family that rolls in for Christmas and Thanksgiving, but I don't know what I'd do without all of them. So here it is, my chance to thank you for keeping me around all these years.

Thank you for the hugs. There is nothing in the world like a big "I've missed you so much" hug from your mom or dad. Nothing. I dare you not to feel like the most loved person in the world after one of those hugs.

Thank you for the support. We crazy kids have some big dreams. Thank you for always believing in mine and supporting me along the way. Bringing up a kid isn't easy (emotionally or financially), but you kept me around and encouraged me to follow my dreams.

Thank you for being proud of me. I may not always give you a reason to, but thank you for being proud of me, anyway. And for telling me that you are.

Thank you for the food. I definitely didn't appreciate this until I went to college, but thank you for feeding me. And for feeding me well. Nothing beats mom's home cooking.

Thank you for embarrassing me. For putting my awful artwork on the fridge and gloating about it. For telling all of your friends the good things I'd done. Thanks for sharing the awkward childhood stories with everyone, I know it comes from a place of love.

Thank you for telling me I was wrong. For teaching me what right and wrong mean. For letting me know when I messed up, and for teaching me how to be better and come back from it.

Thank you for keeping me grounded. Families provide brutal honesty when no one else will, and I think there is a special note in the sibling contract that obligates them to not let our heads get too big.

Thank you for worrying. It's nice to know that no matter what, someone cares if you get home at night. Sorry for all the times I've made you worry by not texting back quick enough. I know it's just because you love me.

Thank you for loving me. That is a lot to ask of a person. To love unconditionally someone who you did not get to choose, who just happened to be born with the same blood as yours running through their veins. Being home has just reminded me how much love I have in my life and how lucky I am to have it. Thank you. Love you all, too.