I am alllll about the celebration. From the little things (I got an A on my final, let’s cook a fancy dinner!) to the big things (popping a big ol’ bottle of sparkling grape juice when mom finished with chemo), I think every little moment is worth celebrating.

Some may find it frivolous…to celebrate often…thinking it takes away from the big moments. But as an optimist, I believe that being able to see the small, beautiful moments and being able to appreciate them makes us more grateful. When you’re focusing on the good things, the not so good things fade into nonexistence.

With the holidays around the corner, I’m finding a lot to be thankful for…my mom’s positive spirit in her continued battle to beat cancer, my dad’s heart that somehow kept beating through 99% of his arteries begging clogged, for the love and support from so many friends and family members, and for our little home that we can finally call our own.

For these things, I’m celebrating - throwing on my best dress and saying, “SUCK IT, WORLD - YOU WON’T KEEP US DOWN. We have love on our side."