A few words on Friendsgiving.

Yes, it’s trendy. It may seem like another excuse for young people to get together for a themed party, drink and be merry, then capture it all in a selfie. And it is! But I think it’s also an important occasion for city transplants.

Many 20-30 somethings in San Francisco are here without their families–so we’ve had to create new ones.

Of course, nobody can replace the families we grew up with. Our families know our darkest moments (like all those middle school portraits posed next to trees), some of our greatest moments (“I’m almost the lead in a musical!”), and inside jokes that no words can explain. But your family is probably settled somewhere you love to hate on around your friends. Mine is happily settled in Florida, which inspired this BuzzFeed quiz.  I see them a few times a year, mostly for holidays, and the remaining 11 months I’m here in San Francisco with my created family.

These created families are important too. They’re who we rely on through good times, bad times, and everything in between on a day-to-day basis. If I need margaritas and tacos after a particularly rough Tuesday, SF friends to the rescue. If I need beers and more beers on a particularly great Thursday, SF friends again. From dance parties to venting to I’M HAVING A MELTDOWN-ing, I’m very fortunate to have good friends in this city. Because life happens the 11 months I’m away from my family.

So Friendsgiving is an occasion to honor the people who look after us because they choose to, not because they have to. And from what I know about Thanksgiving (which is surprisingly very little), it’s about being thankful for the generous gifts people bring to your life.

To my San Francisco friends (aka SF family), I’m beyond thankful.