Thanksgiving is one of those special times of year that invites us to slow down, look around and remember just how much we have to be thankful for.

The holiday’s tradition has deep roots in American history. From the first celebrations by the Pilgrims and Native Americans to the 1789 proclamation by George Washington calling on the new nation to observe a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, Thanksgiving has always been about taking time to recognize our blessings.

Thanksgiving is about more than a meal or a day on the calendar. It’s a time to reflect on the people and blessings that mean the most to us. At the top of my list are my faith and my family.

This Thanksgiving will be especially meaningful for my wife, Robin, and me as we welcome all 22 members of our family home for the holiday. With children, grandchildren and in-laws, getting everyone together under one roof is something we don’t take for granted. Life gets busy, schedules get complicated and opportunities like this become increasingly special.

We’re looking forward to a house full of family, a great meal and, most importantly, plenty of laughter and conversation. Those are the moments we’ll remember long after the dishes are put away.

Thanksgiving also reminds me of the faith, courage and determination that helped shape our nation. The people who crossed an ocean in search of opportunity and freedom took an incredible leap of faith. They couldn’t know exactly what awaited them, but they believed in the possibilities ahead.

In many ways, that spirit reminds me of a decision our cooperative made in 2017 when we launched Gibson Connect.

Bringing broadband service to our rural communities was a tremendous undertaking. There were challenges, risks and plenty of unknowns. But our board and employees believed better connectivity could improve the quality of life in the communities we serve.

Today, Gibson Connect has grown to more than 23,000 customers. That milestone means a great deal to us, and we owe it to the trust our customers have placed in us.

Thank you for trusting us to bring high-speed internet to your homes and businesses, just as generations of families have trusted us to provide safe, reliable electricity.

Behind every meter and fiber-connected router is a family, a business and a story. It is a privilege to serve you and be part of the communities we call home.

From our family to yours, we wish you a happy, peaceful and truly blessed Thanksgiving.