This is my first year hosting a Friendsgiving, and my anxiety is through the roof. Probably because I have no idea how to cook a turkey, or how to host for 20 people. But, I am more excited then ever. Friendsgiving is the new way of celebrating Thanksgiving. With that in mind, instead of being surrounded by family, you are surrounded by friends who have became your family.

So why does Friendsgiving mean more to me than Thanksgiving?

Well, you are surrounded by friends. You are surrounded by people that want and choose to be in your life. You are surrounded by people that you hand selected to be apart of your life. The people that have made an imprint on your heart. The people who are there for you, not just to like your posts on Facebook and then wish you a happy birthday once a year.

No, these people stay updated with you, call you more than you would like to be called, and have true meaningful conversations with you going deeper than small talk. At traditional Thanksgiving, you are bombarded by people you haven't seen since the last family holiday-reunion. You get asked a million questions. Then you have to say "oh yeah, everything is perfect" when really you are neck deep in stress, have anxiety attacks almost every day and are basically crumbling because college is college. In all seriousness though, spending time with family is hectic, and exhausting.

Being able to enjoy yourself is a huge part of it too. With friends you don't get judged by who you are, what you do, what you believe in or what you say. With family, you get judged, you have to watch every little thing that comes out of your mouth and you have to "behave." Not that behaving is my problem, but you have to watch out and not step on anyone's toes, or be careful that you don't offend anyone. With friends you can be yourself. That is my biggest thing. I don't want to have to walk into a room, and have to change who I am. The friends that are sitting at you table are the friends who actually like you, for you. They are not made to like you, or guilt tripped into liking you. No, they just like you.

After all, this is one of the most important times of year, where being grateful and thankful are assessed. This is a time of year when people reflect on who is in your life, who you want to be in your life, and who above all circumstances chooses to love and care about you.

I am so grateful for my friends, and family. I am so thankful to be able to go to college, live on my own and grow my own little family. I am thankful for my girlfriend Lauren who has taken the journey through life with me. I am thankful for my wonderful little fur babies Cheddar, Callie and Colton. Most of all, I am thankful to be able to surround myself this year with friends who have grown to be my new family.