Thanksgiving, for me, has always been different than everyone else’s. That’s not a bad thing. Everyone has their own ways of celebrating the holiday, and the way in which a family celebrates a holiday is what makes it special and unique to them. I come from a Filipino-American background; my parents were born and raised in the Philippines and immigrated to the United States. I was born back in the motherland, but I was raised in the United States. Living in a country different from the one you came from means bringing parts of your culture with you. My parents didn’t want my siblings and me to grow up disconnected from our culture. Traditionally, American holidays are a combination of both American and Filipino culture. Thanksgiving is no exception.

I don’t claim to know what the average Thanksgiving menu is, but in my mind, it’s made up of turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, stuffing, an assortment of vegetables, and pies. The menu, in the Pablico household, is slightly different. For us, instead of a turkey this year, we had two roasted chickens—we tried turkey before; it wasn’t in our taste. We don’t have vegetables; we have noodles: pancit bihon. Pancit bihon are very thin rice noodles fried in soy sauce and citrus, with vegetables, and sliced meat. Pancit is one of the more popular dishes in Filipino cuisine. Pancit was originally brought over to the Philippines by Chinese immigrants, and variations of the dish have spread throughout the country to fit the tastes of each region. It seems fitting that an immigrant dish is at the dinner table of immigrants in a new country.

There are only two kinds of pies in Filipino cuisine: buko pie and egg pie. Buko pie is a traditional coconut and custard pie, and egg pie is a custard pie. Egg pie is a favorite in many Filipino households, but to the American ear, “egg pie” doesn’t sound very appetizing. Eggs are associated with breakfast and savory flavors, and “egg pie” brings quiches to mind. Egg pie is the first thing I ever learned to bake, and it holds a very special place in my foodie heart. It’s delicate and sweet but not overbearingly so. It’s simple. The sentiment behind this pie is the same as any apple or pecan pie at the dinner table.

When thinking of the important things in life, food isn’t one that comes to mind immediately. Maybe it does, but it pops into your head as a joke before moving onto thoughts of religion, family, and loved ones; however, food is at the heart of everyday life and is a crucial part of sustaining the human race. Food is a constant in numerous memories, good and bad. Food is a bonding agent between friends and family; it’s able to unite divided people, alleviate grim periods in one’s life, and stir strong emotions and memories unlike anything else.

In my experience, food has been one of my only connections to Filipino culture. Growing up separated from my family’s culture is difficult. I know little to nothing about my parents’ native language. Despite having heard it for the majority of my childhood, I never picked it up. The Filipino communities in the towns I’ve lived in existed but weren’t prominent. I’m aware of Filipino customs and traditions, but we’ve hardly put any into practice. Food has been one of the only ties I have to my parents’ home which is why it bears such importance to me. Food isn’t just something to be consumed. It symbolizes my family and culture. It is the bearer of hundreds of memories—some of the strongest in my mind. Memories of visiting family in another state and eating dinner right after our flight; memories of watching my grandmother cook my favorite dish; memories of baking egg pie with my mother.

Thanksgiving is an emblem of the American identity. To celebrate the blessings the year has brought and recognize what we’re thankful for is at the core of American values. Another defining quality of the United States is the opportunity it represents. The notion that a person can come from a different place and adopt a new, better life is rooted in our history. A sense of pride is born from those two concepts. Pride in one’s culture, the amount of progress made in a new home, and pride in being American.