I treasure Thanksgiving. There’s something wonderful about sharing a huge meal around a table with people you love — it’s magical.

This year Seth and I are unable to travel to see our parents in Michigan or Los Angeles, but we’re still planning to host a small get together with my best friend Alina, her mom and her brother. Since Seth loves to cook, he’ll be in charge of the kitchen and, if I know my husband, he’ll go above and beyond to make sure everyone gets an amazing meal. I’m sure even the dogs will be full of table scraps and will sleep contentedly in their beds as the humans sit around, sipping wine and digesting our Thanksgiving meal.

The after-meal period is among my favorite parts of Thanksgiving — not necessarily the feeling too-stuffed-to-move part, but the introspection and reflection that comes after our stomachs are full.

After dinner is always when I start a running list in my head of all the things I’m thankful for: My spouse, my family, my friends, my pets, my home, my job, my health… it may seem like these are easy or generic answers, but I think there’s a lot of value in listing off even the obvious things we should be thankful for. It reminds us of all the blessings in our lives, things we forget to show gratitude for on all the normal days throughout the year.

This year, Seth and I and our guests will be sure to spend some time after dinner reflecting on everything we’re lucky to have, including each other.