It's that time of year again where we sit around the table and eat more food than any human should probably consume in one sitting, but this is a time to give thanks. When I think about the past year, there are few groups of people that I'm more thankful for than my friends, so here's a thank you note to all of them.

Thank you for being there, even when you couldn't be. We're all spread out across the country now-- some of you I see on a daily basis, but most it's months in between when we see each other in person. The distance doesn't matter though because I know that if I really needed you, you would be on the other end of the phone in a heartbeat ready for me to vent about the world to you.

Thank you for laughing at my jokes. You laugh even when they aren't funny, which most of the time they aren't. But you pretend that they're great enough for me to be the next Amy Schumer, and I'm grateful for that.

Thank you for giving me someone to laugh with. Or at. Sometimes we do stupid stuff. When you fall flat on your face I'm going to laugh, and then help you up, of course. Sometimes we just crack up laughing. At nothing. Sometimes we just look at each other and laugh, that my friend is how you know it's real.

Thank you for the late night conversations. Whether it's over text about the looming blackhole of possibilities that our future is or lying on the floor of the dorm talking about everything and nothing at the same time. You all probably know more about me than I ever intended for you to just by being around during the late hours of the night.

Thank you for encouraging my bad eating habits. Spontaneous milkshake purchases are an absolute must whenever we're together. Thank you for not only allowing me to eat all that cookie dough, but for eating it with me so I didn't have to feel bad about it.

Thank you for putting up with me. Let's be honest, I can be pretty tough to be around and I definitely have my bad moments. Thanks for sticking with me through every sarcastic comment and braving my sleep deprived irritability.

Thank you for the constant advice and honesty. Someone had to tell me that my eyeliner was uneven or that I shouldn't buy that adorable dress that just doesn't look flattering on me. I needed to hear it and I'm glad you were there to say it.

Thank you for never judging. I screw up all the time. I make so many mistakes in my life. Thank you for being there to pick up the pieces and for hearing me out. For always listening to my story and being there for me even when I'm wrong.

Thank you for being my friend. If this note is for you, you've stuck by me through thick and thin. Maybe we fought and made up, maybe there are a thousand miles between us. Somehow, despite everything the world might have thrown at us you've stuck by me and we're still having adventures together. I'm so thankful for you and I can't wait to spend another year finding more reasons to be grateful for all of you. You're the best.