I spent my first Thanksgiving in the U.S.(2010) meeting my now-in-laws for the first time.

We made a quick trip down to South Carolina for a few days of getting to know them, and some of their dear friends (and knocking two more states off my “been there!” list.)

Christmas 2010 brought us to Vancouver, where Gradon got to spend some more time with my family (he actually met all of my mom’s side of the family in December 2008, when he came to Vancouver for the first time.)

Now, less than a year later, our families have had the chance to meet one another in Boston, and we’re married — for a month today, in fact.

I can’t believe how different my life looks from just four years ago.

That’s why this Thanksgiving kind of tops all the ones that came before.

I mean, yes — I’ve always been thankful for my family. I am more blessed than I can possibly say with all the love I’ve experienced in my 37 years. But now I have my own — a family I chose.

And yes, I’ve always been thankful for having a place to live and food to eat. But now every home I have, I’ll share it with the same person. And we have thousands of meals together to come.

Certainly, I’ve been thankful for work that I could be proud of, and for learning and growing in my skills. But I didn’t ever dream they’d take me across a border and a continent, and make it possible for me to start my life here.

My friends have always been amazing. And not just because I love them, but because they are remarkable people in and of themselves: funny, gifted, brilliant, and special. Now I’ve added a bunch more on a new coast, along with their families — the newest members of which will call me Auntie Meg.

So it’s not that I lacked things to be thankful for in years past.

I’m just completely overwhelmed at how many more things I have now, and how many more I will discover in the years to come.

So, this Thursday, I will sit down to carve a little turkey with my fantastic, handsome, funny husband, after spending the day sleeping in, having brunch, cooking, watching football, and hanging out together at home. Just the two of us, until Ethan joins us for the weekend.

It will be the smallest Thanksgiving dinner I’ve ever been a part of.

But no doubt my heart will be more full than my belly has ever been.