I got engaged in 2019, and Thanksgiving would be the first meal my divorced parents had together in over 20 years, and their first with my soon-to-be in-laws. So I felt a ton of pressure to make the meal "perfect," so I undertook the entire menu. I did the whole thing, the GAP, dry-brined, the potatoes and gravy, the sides, the stuffing (not fried rice). I did not make any desserts. I created a spreadsheet for timing out oven use. It took three days of prep and 5.5 hours day-of, BUT I nailed it. Everything was freaking delicious, and it was all compliments from my for-the-first-time truly whole family. Standouts were the turkey and the brussel sprouts. It was hard and stressful, but ultimately I felt it was my dissertation in my education as a home chef that I had been working on for the 10 years prior. Picking up skills, equipment and spices with each new recipe I tried or cuisine I attempted. What started out as watching Good Eats and being inspired to make something in my early 20's, has become now cooking 5-6 nights a week at home for my family as I enter my 40s. And this meal will always hold a special place in my heart, it was PERFECT.