There is nothing more beautiful to me than waking up to the sound of rain on a Sunday morning. Ever since I can remember, Sundays have always my favorite day of the week.

As a child, Sundays were always the day my parents went “all out” for breakfast. As the smell of coffee and pancakes moved through the air, my eyes would open and I'd immediately run downstairs to see my mom in the kitchen cooking an array of different foods. The table would be adorned with toast, eggs, pancakes, bacon, coffee, and hot chocolate, as my mother would sit and watch us fight over who’d get the last pancake.

Growing up, both of my parents worked and always kept busy. We never had the big,“fancy” breakfasts. Sunday was our day. Sunday meant stuffing your face until you couldn’t breathe. It meant spending the rest of the day watching movies and “vegging out” as my mother would put it.

As the day went on and our hunger began to grow, we’d suffice by popping popcorn on the stove and covering the kernels with M&M’s. We’d watch the latest movie, while the colorful candies melted. Each bite left chocolate dripping down our fingers and our hearts filled with joy.

As we all got older, Sunday breakfast evolved from pancakes to bagels. We now referred to Sundays as “Bagel Day.” Each Sunday morning, my dad would come home with a large box of Einstein's bagels. He, my stepmom, and my dog would spend the early hour walking to Einstein's, as we’d sit and wait with anticipation.

Once they’d arrived, we’d all fight over who’s bagel got to go in the toaster first and eventually who got to split the last one. After we’d prepared our bagels, we’d flip the television to “That 70’s Show” and laugh on the couch together.

Sundays meant family time to me. I think that’s why my siblings and I always enjoyed it most. Our household was busy. We didn’t always get a chance to sit, eat, and talk with each other during the week. Whether it was popcorn and M&Ms or a toasted sesame bagel, Sundays united us.

This Thanksgiving, I think back to the small things I am thankful for. I think back to the things and moments in everyday life, we normally forget to be thankful for.I am thankful for hugs from friends that feel like love. I am thankful for the sun, as it kisses my skin, while I lie in the grass. I am thankful for songs that say everything I've been wanting to say, perfectly. I am thankful for late night drives with windows down, hair flowing, and music blasting, while strangers at stoplights watch and laugh as we continue to hit (or not hit) notes. I am thankful for it all, for every little moment. I am thankful for greasy, messy, warm, and rainy Sunday mornings. What are you thankful for?