25 Reasons WE'RE So Thankful This Year
Although it may seem like it's always sparkles and cupcakes with us here at Refinery29, we're actually a group of women and men who are very much like yourselves — though we love us some fashion, we know the things that matter most can't be purchased with an Amex.
From family members that we'll never be able to stray too far from to jobs that allow us to get paid to do what we love (and little extras like electricity and water that we'll never take for granted, ever again, post-Sandy), here are the 25 things our staff is giving thanks for this year.
Consider this our version of the pre-Thanksgiving feast roundtable; and practice your own answer in the comments — it'll be your turn to go soon!
"I'm constantly grateful for and surprised by all the fantastic friends I have, but there are three who will always be special. Jon, Chrissy, Debbie, and I went to boarding school together, and though college separated us, we all ended up in New York eventually, and we've remained each other's closest friends (See pic: Who else would go on a hayride with you at the age of 28?). At one point we all lived within three blocks of one another, making it almost as easy to wander over for a pajama-talk as it was back in school. Of course we've all found new friendships and relationships, but when the big stuff happens — hurricanes, health issues, family drama — these are the people I call first. When someone has known and loved you since you were a ridiculous, dramatic, showtunes-obsessed 15 year old, you keep them around — if only to keep them quiet."
—Kelsey Miller, contributing SEO editor
"I'm always grateful for my family, but this year, I'm especially thankful for my sister, who let our entire family (and some of my friends, too) crash at her place during Hurricane Sandy. She only lives one town over from me, but while my block was a mess of trees and downed power lines, her apartment was in pristine condition (read: electricity!)."
—Lauren Caruso, contributing editor
"This year, in addition to my family and friends, I'm thankful for two basics I've totally taken for granted in the past: water and electricity. Going without both during Sandy and seeing others who still don't have these essentials makes me realize how lucky I am."
—Diana Nguyen, top editor
"I wouldn't be the quirky, messy, driven person I would be without my mom and dad. In my family, 'parent' is a nebulous word (marriages, emotional adoptions, etc.), but Cathy and Michael are literally the most important things in my life — and so are the people who love them (my step-mom Sheila knows I am a brat, and somehow the amazing woman has resolved to love me nonetheless). People constantly comment on how cool my mother is and how close we are for a reason. And really, how do people live without my brilliant, loving dad snarking Jewishisms and yelling "CLAAAHRE!" (my middle name with a New York accent) every five minutes?"
—Leila Brillson, global news editor
"I'm thankful for so many things right now, but if I had to single one out, I would say it's my mother. Since my father passed away two years ago, she has very gradually reclaimed her life, in every way one could. And it's given me so much joy to see her happy and energized and looking forward. She inspires me."
—Christene Barberich, editor-in-chief
"I'm grateful to have such a tremendous support system in a city that could easily feel isolating and exhausting. These things always sound like such cliché, but it's true: Friends who feel like family when you don't have family around, who put up with your tantrums and breakdowns, talk you through your tendency to over analyze, and have impromptu afternoon bottles of wine with you are priceless. So, thanks guys!"
—Neha Gandhi, deputy editor
"I'm truly thankful for the health of my family, as well as their continual love and never-ending support. My parents are two of my very best friends (and hitting partners!) and I feel blessed, each and every day, by my mother's beautiful energy and dad's constant reminders to laugh — a lot!"
—Jessica Teves, managing editor
"After announcing my pregnancy, there's been such an outpouring of love from everyone in my life. It's reminded me of how thankful I am to have such incredible friends on both coasts, a super-supportive family and husband, enthusiastic colleagues, and a baby boy on the way."
—Katie Hintz-Zambrano, senior editor, West Coast
Photo: Courtesy of Kelsey Miller; Courtesy of Lauren Caruso; Courtesy of Diana Nguyen; Courtesy of Leila Brillson
From family members that we'll never be able to stray too far from to jobs that allow us to get paid to do what we love (and little extras like electricity and water that we'll never take for granted, ever again, post-Sandy), here are the 25 things our staff is giving thanks for this year.
Consider this our version of the pre-Thanksgiving feast roundtable; and practice your own answer in the comments — it'll be your turn to go soon!
"I'm constantly grateful for and surprised by all the fantastic friends I have, but there are three who will always be special. Jon, Chrissy, Debbie, and I went to boarding school together, and though college separated us, we all ended up in New York eventually, and we've remained each other's closest friends (See pic: Who else would go on a hayride with you at the age of 28?). At one point we all lived within three blocks of one another, making it almost as easy to wander over for a pajama-talk as it was back in school. Of course we've all found new friendships and relationships, but when the big stuff happens — hurricanes, health issues, family drama — these are the people I call first. When someone has known and loved you since you were a ridiculous, dramatic, showtunes-obsessed 15 year old, you keep them around — if only to keep them quiet."—Kelsey Miller, contributing SEO editor
"I'm always grateful for my family, but this year, I'm especially thankful for my sister, who let our entire family (and some of my friends, too) crash at her place during Hurricane Sandy. She only lives one town over from me, but while my block was a mess of trees and downed power lines, her apartment was in pristine condition (read: electricity!)."
—Lauren Caruso, contributing editor
"This year, in addition to my family and friends, I'm thankful for two basics I've totally taken for granted in the past: water and electricity. Going without both during Sandy and seeing others who still don't have these essentials makes me realize how lucky I am."
—Diana Nguyen, top editor
"I wouldn't be the quirky, messy, driven person I would be without my mom and dad. In my family, 'parent' is a nebulous word (marriages, emotional adoptions, etc.), but Cathy and Michael are literally the most important things in my life — and so are the people who love them (my step-mom Sheila knows I am a brat, and somehow the amazing woman has resolved to love me nonetheless). People constantly comment on how cool my mother is and how close we are for a reason. And really, how do people live without my brilliant, loving dad snarking Jewishisms and yelling "CLAAAHRE!" (my middle name with a New York accent) every five minutes?"
—Leila Brillson, global news editor
"I'm thankful for so many things right now, but if I had to single one out, I would say it's my mother. Since my father passed away two years ago, she has very gradually reclaimed her life, in every way one could. And it's given me so much joy to see her happy and energized and looking forward. She inspires me."
—Christene Barberich, editor-in-chief
"I'm grateful to have such a tremendous support system in a city that could easily feel isolating and exhausting. These things always sound like such cliché, but it's true: Friends who feel like family when you don't have family around, who put up with your tantrums and breakdowns, talk you through your tendency to over analyze, and have impromptu afternoon bottles of wine with you are priceless. So, thanks guys!"
—Neha Gandhi, deputy editor
"I'm truly thankful for the health of my family, as well as their continual love and never-ending support. My parents are two of my very best friends (and hitting partners!) and I feel blessed, each and every day, by my mother's beautiful energy and dad's constant reminders to laugh — a lot!"
—Jessica Teves, managing editor
"After announcing my pregnancy, there's been such an outpouring of love from everyone in my life. It's reminded me of how thankful I am to have such incredible friends on both coasts, a super-supportive family and husband, enthusiastic colleagues, and a baby boy on the way."
—Katie Hintz-Zambrano, senior editor, West Coast
Photo: Courtesy of Kelsey Miller; Courtesy of Lauren Caruso; Courtesy of Diana Nguyen; Courtesy of Leila Brillson
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