STRINGER: Giving thanks for area sports, family and friends
By the time you read this, I'll probably be six deviled eggs deep and on my second glass of apple cider.
Yes, y'all, I go hard for Thanksgiving.
I'll wake up early, throw on my best ugly Christmas sweater, pop cinnamon rolls into the oven, turn on Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and start the meal prep, which for me is centered around one golden rule: There can never be too many leftovers.
For some, Thanksgiving is all about a meal that unites family. For my foodie soul, it's an all-day event.
It's about making the best homemade turkey gravy and dancing in the kitchen to oldies and motown hits. It's about marching bands, musicals and floats in NYC, followed by a loop of Christmas Classics like "Meet Me in St. Louis."
It's about the Detroit Lions, no matter how hot or cold, ushering in a full day of football on the man cave TVs, and me questioning why I drafted so many Lions on my fantasy teams.
It's about starting a post-meal puzzle — this year my fiancee, Kristi, got me a 4,000 piece lego set of the McCallister house from "Home Alone” — and finishing the day with "Christmas Vacation" over leftover deviled eggs. It's about finding the perfect pair of stretchy pants and testing the limits of that waistband.
This year, though, the pageantry takes on added significance. Wyatt, our 6-month-old son, is a big reason why. One day he'll inherit my Clark Griswold sensibilities, and when that day comes I'll be the most proud dad ever.
Seth's Top-10 Thanksgiving side dishes
1. Dressing
2. Deviled eggs
3. Rice and gravy (the binder to the plate)
4. Collards
5. Mac and cheese
On that note, the pagaentry of Turkey Day would be nothing without giving thanks.
From my perch atop the local athletic scene, I'm thankful for Choctaw's Cinderella football team extending the football season in its bid for a 3S state title. Two wins down, three to go.
I'm thankful for Niceville track and field — led by Todd Brigman and Emily Webb — being the most dominant program in the Sunshine State.
I'm thankful for coaches like Meaghan Allen, Adron Robinson, Mercedez Claybrone, Shaun Arntz, Tobi Marez and Meghan Darhower reporting stats and scores unprompted. And I'm thankful for the hospitality I receive at Niceville High football games — Robinson always hooks up the parking spot and Rachel Morrison keeps me fed.
I'm thankful for coaches like Wes Nelson and Jeff Bradley always giving me a reason to travel down south for a state title (the Lakeland and DeLand downtowns are two of of my favorite destinations). And I'm thankful for the area's abundance of state champion lifters (I see you Navarre).
I'm thankful for the area's athletic directors and their neverending support of student-athletes, and I'm thankful for all the assistant coaches who are underpaid and overworked and the team managers who fly under the radar but are essential to the operation.
Personally, I'm thankful to have the best partner in Kristi Holley. You're my everything, and you gave me the greatest gift of all in Wyatt.
I'm thankful my caring and supportive parents, John and Mary Nell, who live within 4 miles.
I'm thankful for my best friend and big bro, Jordano my mano, who remains my favorite person of all time.
I'm thankful for the health of my three cats (Boo, Jose Altuve and Otis), two dogs (Molly and Chloe) and bunny (Bunn).
I'm thankful to have the fellowship of First Presbyterian Church in FWB, where my dad is the pastor.
I'm thankful to have the best disc golf partner in Del Stone, yes THE LEGENDARY DEL STONE. We don't always look pretty throwing discs, but we sure do laugh. I'm also thankful for a great movie theater/Donut Hole bro in Dusty Ricketts.
And, of course, I'm thankful to be a fan of the World Champion Astros, the most dominant franchise currently in baseballl.
On this day, I'm reminded I wouldn't trade my family, friends or this sports community for anywhere else. Happy Thanksgiving, y'all ... don't forget to give thanks.
Follow sports editor Seth Stringer on twitter at @SethSnwfdn.
This article originally appeared on Northwest Florida Daily News: STRINGER: Giving thanks for area sports, family and friends
