Happy Thanksgiving, Cola. 🦃

Today, we’re taking some time to reflect on all of the things we have to be thankful for. You, our readers, are at the top of our list. We’re grateful for the chance to wake up every day + talk about this wonderful city with you.

Last week, we asked what about our city you’re thankful for this year. To celebrate Turkey Day, we wanted to share some of your answers.

Lauren: Today I am thankful for our Columbia community that rallies behind one another and that makes writing about and for our city fun each day. I’m thankful for our local restaurants and shops and the opportunity to get outside and enjoy nature at all of the river walks and trails without leaving the city.

Jess: Today I am thankful to live in a city with so many delicious taco options, supporting local businesses that pivoted to support us throughout the pandemic, that college football actually happened this season + the opportunity to create a newsletter that our readers enjoy everyday.

“We’re thankful for ~$200 million of construction happening in #mainstcolasc despite the pandemic. 🙌🏻” – @mainstcolasc

“Thankful for small businesses that made changes during this pandemic to ensure our safety and offer their food/retail/services 🙌🏽” – @gamecocktoothdoc

“Thankful for craft beer pulling me through 😂😬” – @pattyice_14

“Thankful for a lot of great local restaurants to try! We try to do takeout/dine in from a new one a few times a month! We’ve been in Cola for 1.5 year and can’t wait to try more places!” – @adventuresofasoutherngal

“Still having my job and be able to say the pandemic didn’t really affect me!!! Thank you God for you are always faithful!! WEAR YOUR MASKS 😷❤️” – @ladylexe

“We are grateful for all our Gamecock family and December graduates for pushing through this year. Congratulations #UofSC20!” – @uofsc_cas

“I am thankful to open my second location here in Columbia SC! 🙏 couldn’t have chosen a better state/ city.” – @gotcracked.southcarolina

“@rmhccolumbiasc !!” – @megh_mcmenamy

“Thankful for morning strolls on the @saludariverwalk” – @allycathiking

“@therootedcommunity and @rosewoodmarketsc teaming up for free Sunday yoga 💕💕💕💕💕” – @imakeniceshoes

“That I moved back to Columbia, near family, just before this "interesting" year began.” – Becky R.

“Walking trails, Craft and Draft and Columbia Draft. Great tools for enduring the pandemic” – Adam D.

“I’m thankful for the Harbison Community and State Forest. We moved here right before the pandemic and the well-maintained trails have made it easy to explore the outdoors in a year where exploring indoor attractions isn’t an option.” – Kaleigh C.

“Columbia Fireflies” – John H.

“Family & Health” – Rayl L.

“The more than 1300 Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists who care for South Carolina citizens daily in rain, sleet, snow and COVID!” – Candace A.

“I’m thankful a scraggly, empty lot downtown was filled with wild flowers and sunflowers, which not only made it less of an eyesore but was good for the soil, good for the bee & pollinator population, good for educators and parents, encouraging to the community when contraction overtook growth, etc. but also showed we have leadership who knew it would not be a waste, that value comes in many forms so it’s not always just about commercial real estate profiteering, and that even temporary things can be very worthwhile. A much broader-thinking leadership than I’ve seen elsewhere. And I remember the Mayor even came out of the office to get down in the dirt and help plant something good in the inner city. 🌻” – @breakthroughhorizon

“The number of walking trails and the people that keep them clean and safe.” – Alice P.

“Orange crushed” – Paul D.

“Wednesday night ColaJazz LIVEstreams that bring in a massive array of jazz talent and styles and the incredible jazz community who help keep it going week after week!” – Shari H.

“ColaJazz streaming concerts on Wednesday nights.” – Cliff E.

Click here to join the conversation + see more reader responses.

Thank you for starting your day with us + Happy Thanksgiving. 🦃