Though Thanksgiving is undoubtedly a time to reunite with family and to be together, we all secretly know that there is so much more to this beloved, yet slightly dreaded holiday. Thanksgiving is a time where more than just "thanks" are dolled out and people come hungry for more than just turkey, and the older you get, the more intense the questions become. So, lets all take a second to tell the truth about the holiday.

Thanksgiving is:

1. A time where it is acceptable to eat the amount you normally wish you could but are usually too embarrassed to

2. A time to be asked about your still nonexistent love life (thanks for reminding me though, grandma)

3. A time to pretend like you know and have missed all of these people that could be total strangers crashing your Thanksgiving dinner and you'd have no idea

4. A time to pretend like you're excited to answer 74 questions about college, your major and your plans for the future

5. A time to get drunk with your cousins that you haven't seen since summer

6. A time to reflect on how great it is that there is an entire holiday centered around turkey, cranberries and sweetpotato pie

7. A time to decompress before you head back to campus to start cramming for finals

8. A time to feel great about yourself because all of your distant relatives remind you "how beautiful of a young lady" you are becoming

9. A time to worry because all of these weird people have the same genes as you, which means you have the potential to be just as weird

10. And of course, a time to give thanks. Muddle through the endless questions, nod and smile, pretend like you have your sh*t together, eat plenty, enjoy good company and appreciate what you have. Granted, not the whole holiday is enjoyable-- it does have its flaws-- but remember that a great deal of who you are and who you've become are both due to the loving and supportive people that surround you this week.

I wish all of you the happiest and healthiest Thanksgiving and a wonderful holiday season!