Thanksgiving is coming up quickly, and I can't wait for my favorite holiday.

Turkey, Football, and my boyfriend's family are three of my favorite things.

What Melinda? You're excited to spend a holiday with your significant other's family?

I know it sounds almost as crazy as liking holiday fruitcake, but I really look forward to spending time with them.

First of all, don't get me wrong. I love my family. My parents and extended family are wonderful and a blast to spend time with.

Unfortunately my 93-year-old grandfather can't travel, so holidays come to him … in Upper Michigan.

The biggest problem about working in West Central Indiana is the amount of travel time to get to Upper Michigan. Because of my schedule, I can't legitimately make the 11-hour trip and be able to spend quality time with the fam.

So, for last year and this year, I'm spending Thanksgiving with my boyfriend's family outside of Chicago.

There are definite perks to this.

No offense to my mom and relatives, but Mrs. C and Ma make the best Thanksgiving dinner I've ever had. Mom knows she's made turkeys in years past that were so dry you could see them reabsorbing any liquid on the dish.

We're also spending some time in downtown Chicago over the weekend -- doing a little shopping, going to the Art Institute and catching a Broadway show.

There really isn't anything like that in the UP, for those of you who have not ventured that far north.

I love trying to help in kitchen, usually just stirring the gravy or setting the table. I don't blame them for not trusting me around the heavy duty cooking.

I also love watching football all day with a collection of Bears, Broncos and Giants fans.

This year, the Packers are playing on Thanksgiving Day, so I'm sure a number of instantaneous Detroit Lions fans will develop in the living room.

I'm really lucky to have a terrific relationship with my boyfriend's family. There are a lot of people who struggle to create relationships with their loved one's loved ones.

Plus, in November in the Upper Peninsula, there's usually a good foot or two of snow, the perfect way to ruin a good holiday.