Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

You ever feel like Thanksgiving just sneaks up on you? One minute, you’re trying to catch the last bits of summer, and the next thing you know, you’re knee-deep in a grocery store aisle full of pumpkin everything and wondering how you’re supposed to roast a bird that could moonlight as a small dinosaur. How does this happen? Every. Single. Year.

I’ll admit, Thanksgiving used to be my “pause and reflect” holiday. A time to channel my inner Martha Stewart (minus all the perfect tablecloths) and get everything “just so.” But lately? Thanksgiving feels like a sprint. One minute, I’m organizing spreadsheets, putting out fires at work, and then—bam—it’s time to baste a turkey and pretend I have a clue about gravy consistency. How did we get here? Who’s in charge of my calendar?

That said, there’s a beauty to this mad dash to the Thanksgiving table. In the middle of the chaos, you realize that the heart of the holiday isn’t the perfectly folded napkins or the impeccably timed feast. It’s in the laughter, the random (and sometimes awkward) conversations, and the inevitable food coma that follows. And maybe it’s also about sneaking in some Hallmark holiday movies when no one’s looking—because, let’s be real, we all need a bit of sappy, holiday magic.

So, here’s to the turkey that may be a little underdone, the pie that might be a bit too crispy, and the joy of spending time with the people who make the chaos worth it. And if all else fails, there’s always mac and cheese. Happy Thanksgiving!