There's something joyful about asking people what they're looking forward to on Thanksgiving. This morning, the BAM team shared what has them excited for tomorrow, and the responses reminded us what this holiday means to us now.
Before we share what we're celebrating, we want to acknowledge something important: Thanksgiving's origin story is far more complicated and painful than the elementary school narrative most of us learned. The holiday's history is rooted in colonization and the suffering of Indigenous communities, a reality that continues to have impact today.
At BAM, we believe it's not only possible but necessary to hold both truths: we can acknowledge this painful history while also choosing to gather with loved ones, share meals, and express gratitude. Recognizing the harm doesn't diminish our joy, and our joy doesn't erase the history. Both matter.
For many of us, Thanksgiving has evolved into something different from its origins — a day that reflects what we want it to represent rather than what it once meant. That in itself is a mirror on society: imperfect, evolving, and capable of holding multiple truths at once.
We encourage everyone to have these conversations in their circles tomorrow. There's certainly more work to be done in our world. Yet history, impact, gratitude, and joy can coexist at the same table.
For some of us, this Thanksgiving marks a special reunion. Lauren is spending the holiday with her family for the first time in six years, a benefit of her move to Massachusetts. Briana echoed that sentiment, thrilled to be just a drive away from family now. There's something irreplaceable about being close enough to make it home for the holidays.
Brittany is meeting newest family member Mollie for the first time, while Emily is looking forward to meeting her nephew. There's nothing quite like a holiday made sweeter by a tiny new family member.
The kitchen is where many traditions live. Sarah and Chris both expressed genuine excitement about cooking tomorrow, despite (or perhaps because of) the beautiful chaos it brings. Emily and Nichole are keeping their Puerto Rican heritage alive through food — preparing pernil, arroz con gandules, and pasteles. Katie is continuing old family traditions and starting a new one at her son's request: s'mores.
And yes, some traditions involve getting up early for a Turkey Trot (looking at you, Sam and Jill), but the payoff of relaxing with loved ones after makes it worthwhile.
Thanksgiving doesn't need to be elaborate. Julian is looking forward to sleeping in before dinner with a friend. Erin is excited to watch the parade with her fiancé in her hometown. Courtney is hanging with family and friends. Beck is planning two early morning walks (double dawn patrol, as she calls it) before celebrating with chosen and true family alike.
As Jill perfectly put it, "All the family love and appreciation makes my heart so full. This is what Thanksgiving is supposed to be."
Whether you're cooking traditional family recipes, meeting new relatives, running a Turkey Trot, or simply sleeping in, Thanksgiving can be about the people we choose to spend it with. It's about the moments we create together — while also being a day to reflect on whose land we gather, whose stories have been erased, and how we can show up as better humans in society.
From all of us at BAM: Happy Thanksgiving.