13 Things You Realize About Your Parents When You Go To College

Your parents are the only two people in your life who can be your best friends, your worst enemies, your support system, AND the bane of your existence all at once. When I was in high school, I definitely took my parents for granted, and HEAVILY underestimated their wisdom. After being at college for a few years, I've realized some pretty important things about the parental units. And here they are:

1. They're AWFUL texters.

If I had a dollar for every time I sent my dad a paragraph and he sent me back less than three words, I would be a billionaire. The man can't text to save his life. Moms are a little better, but mine is far to busy to keep up a super long texting convo. But it's a blessing in disguise, because it actually forces you to pick up the phone and call them.

2. They've always had your best interest at heart.

When you get to college, you finally (kind of) realize why your parents made sure that you ate healthily and actually did your homework in high school. There's something about working on a paper or trying to actually eat vegetables in the dining hall that makes you glad your parents worked to instill some good values in you.

3. You took for granted all the nights they made you dinner.

Living on your own or eating dining hall meals every night makes you seriously appreciate your dad's infamous rosemary and thyme steak. While staring at the sad plate of chicken and broccoli you've eaten for four days straight, you miss the nights when your parents cooked for you. And all you had to do to earn it was to wash the dishes.

4. They have their own lives, even without you.

I don't know when my parents got so many friends, but it seems like every single weekend, they've got more plans than I do. It's weird to think that when you're gone they still have this whole life that carries on without you. But, you know, good for them having plans and stuff.

5. They give the best hugs.

I'll never forget the time I came home from high school in panicked, stressed out and upset, and just looked at my dad with tears in my eyes. He wordlessly crossed the room and hugged me while I absolutely fell apart. Honestly, it was the best hug of my life, and made my day so much better. When you're ten hours from home and have one of those days, your dad isn't there to hug you and make it better, so you appreciate when he was even more.

6. A letter from them can turn even the worst week into a good one.

Letters from parents are the absolute best thing to grace a college mailbox, especially when they contain money. That is all.

7. They have a TERRIBLE memory.

Parents will forget your best friend's name, the stories about that guy you like, and your weekend plans about a thousand times. But somehow never a test. Or a paper.

8. It's kind of weird not to live with them anymore.

Coming home to a dorm room with no parental guidance is strange to say the least. For eighteen years you came home to someone telling you to do your work and asking you about your day. You kind of miss the daily stories about your mom's office and your dad's commute, and it's weird not to have them.

9. But distance makes the heart grow fonder (and in way less trouble).

It's also weird that no one's around to stop you from going out on a Tuesday...and you don't hate it. If I'm being honest, my parents and I have a WAY better relationship now that they don't care if I stay up until 2am or don't make my bed. It makes our time together way more fun.

10. They give the best advice.

I still call my parents weekly, if not daily, for life advice. I didn't appreciate their listening ear nearly as much before I went to college. Not sure if a boy likes you back? Stressed about your busy week? Not sure what to wear to an interview? Pick up the phone and call up mom and dad.

11. You miss them more than you thought possible.

When people used to ask me if I was worried about missing home while attending school ten hours away, I used to grin and reassure them that I would be perfectly fine, and wouldn't miss home at all. But when you don't see your parents every day, you really start to miss them. I miss my mom's bad jokes and my dad's music playing in the kitchen. I miss the drives to doctors appointments together, and even getting yelled at for stealing my dad's teeshirts. And I never thought that I would.

12. You wish they would visit more.

Being in college feels a little bit like living a double life. You have this whole life at home, and this whole life at school, yet they rarely cross. You want to share your school life with your parents, and you sometimes wish that they would visit more, so they could get a glimpse into how great your home away from home really is.

13. They are, and always will be, your favorite people in the world.

They loved you then, they love you now, and they'll love you forever. And you love them right back, because at the end of the day, they'll always be your favorite people.