Happy Thanksgiving Badger Fans!
 
Well, the Badgers are back after a relaxing off-weekend. Landing in Washington, D.C. just yesterday, our journey throughout the nation's capital has only begun.
 
Tonight I sit and reflect on how incredibly special this team is. I know it might seem cliche to write about the immense gratitude I have towards these girls on Thanksgiving, a holiday where thanks fills the hearts of millions across the world, but it is impossible to refrain from speaking such words.
 
There is a quote that goes: "There are moments which mark your life. Moments when you realize nothing will ever be the same and time is divided into two parts—before this and after this."
 
Every moment spent with my teammates can be depicted by that saying.
 
It's the bus rides filled with card games, pillow talks, and craziness. It's the pre-takeoff Snapchats. It's the movie nights we share on road trips, seemingly a dozen people crammed into one bed trying to get a glimpse of the screen. It's laughing at how many mashed potatoes Abby can fit on her plate (and not just at Thanksgiving meal), or Alexis impersonating every famous TV and movie character. It's cuddling with the Occupaws puppies Lauren and Mads bring into the locker room, going to church together, the early morning coffee walks, the pregame rituals. It's the intense soccer "sewey" matches, the MarioKart races, the Broadway musicals we perform on a daily basis, blasting Disney songs, having dance parties.
 
It's the feeling we get when we embrace each after a huge goal, our hearts bursting with excitement for one another.
 
It's day-in and day-out pushing each other to be the best players and people we can possibly be. The off-season, in-season, every second working towards the dream of a national championship trophy.
 
It's the breakups, the heartaches, the strength, and every moment we have risen.
 
These memories…they merely scratch the surface of what makes this team what it is, and I am forever thankful. The ability to co-captain this team with Claude is the biggest blessing God could ever give.
 
On behalf of the girls, I would like to thank all of our families as well. So many of you made the long trek out to DC this weekend—just a sliver of the endless hours you sacrificed to provide us with everything we need to chase our goals.
 
And gosh, Badger fans, we are thankful for you, too. You guys make playing for the Cardinal and White so remarkable.
 
Come support us in D.C. tomorrow at 3 p.m. (CT) as we take on Northeastern, and Saturday at 12 p.m (CT) as we face Boston University. If you are unable to watch live, follow the game online via our Twitter feed @BadgerWHockey.
 
We hope you have an amazing holiday! On Wisconsin!
 
-Baylee
 
P.S.
I asked some of the girls what they are thankful for this year, hoping to gain some unoriginal words of gratitude, and of course I received some perfectly quirky answers.
 
Maddie Rolfes: "Erik Karlsson"
Lauren Williams: "Puppies who brighten my day"
Mikaela Gardner: "My parents and the University of Wisconsin"
Maddie Posick: "Lauren (Williams)"
Sam Cogan: "I'm thankful I'm Canadian"