On country artist Zac Brown Band’s latest album, "Welcome Home," which was dropped earlier this year, there is a track entitled “Roots” – essentially an ode to his upbringing, loved ones, and everything that made him who he is today. So, in the spirt of the song, and in the spirit of the Thanksgiving Season, I’d like to say thank you to my own roots.

Thank you to my parents, who raised me to realize the intangible importance of every single day, to put in the hard work for what you want, and the necessity of following your heart. You have impacted me in so many incredible ways, and I will always be grateful for how hard you worked so that I can have the opportunities I do.

Thank you to my loud, fun, and loving Italian family – I can’t even imagine how different life would be without you guys. I am so thankful for all of the memories that we have created over the years, the Christmas traditions we have that make every holiday season so special, and I am looking forward to so many more.

Thank you to my little hometown which provided an excellent place to grow up; Brookfield, you aren’t perfect, but you are pretty wonderful.

Thank you to my friends for constantly reminding me that the people that we are supposed to meet will always find their way into our lives.

Thank you to everyone and everything that has helped make my life what it is today; cheers to the holiday season and more opportunities to make memories with the amazing people in my life.

I urge you to take a moment, even if it is a brief one, to thank your roots this upcoming holiday season -- to acknowledge the people, places, and things that have helped make you who you are, and to realize how critical all of those were in contributing to your character today.