No matter how far away you go to school, leaving home is hard. Yes, college is a new and exciting adventure, but everyone approaches this adventure differently. You get used to the routine of living in your dorm and packing a suitcase for those times you finally get the chance to go home. We grow up a lot freshman year, we have no choice. We're finally on our own, and without Mom and Dad to tell us what to do it is up to us to make our own decisions (some better than others, but isn't that what college is for?). I think it might be impossible to go through college without making a few dumb mistakes here and there.

However, as soon as freshman year starts, it's over. The year goes by in the blink of an eye, and just like that you're back home. Back sleeping in your own bed, back in your comfort zone, back to familiarity. Of course with college you no longer have summer homework, but internship opportunities, summer jobs, and spending quality time with your friends and family.

As the summer came to a close I found myself dreading that second goodbye. It feels like I just said hello yesterday. I wanted more time. I put off packing as long as I could and in the morning I don't think I had ever eaten cereal that slowly in my entire life. I loved waking up in my bed, walking downstairs and eating breakfast with my mom before I went to work. Just being able to tell her to have a good day and that I loved her in person instead of a text message was really nice. Everyone expects that the hardest time to leave is freshman year because it's brand new and you've never left home. I disagree and here's five reasons why:

1. Nostalgia

Just driving down the street to your house can bring back memories. This is the place where you grew up, the place where you took homecoming pictures on the front steps, the place where you felt completely comfortable. This place is home, and it will forever be home, no matter where you end up.

2. Mom

To say that moms love having their children home from college in the summer is an understatement. They missed us more than we know and to have us home for such a long period of time is such a treat for them because for nine months out of the year we're not going to be there. Also, Mom hasn't done your laundry all year, so having someone do your laundry for you is a nice added bonus.

3. High School Friends

These are the people who knew and loved you when you had braces! So many memories were made during those four years of high school, and there are memories that do not just get forgotten once high school is done. At one point in time you meant so much to each other, and reminiscing all summer makes leaving that much harder. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, and once we are apart the reunion is that much better, and the friendship becomes that much more important to us. You can never forget about your day ones.

4. Bed

I do not think I am the first one to admit I love my bed. There are days I swear I would be so content to lay there forever. My comforter smells like laundry detergent (thanks Mom) and my body doesn't even hesitate to fall fast asleep the minute my head hits my pillow. My favorite thing about coming home is sleeping in my own bed, there's nothing better than that.

5. Growing Up

With growing up comes realization and greater appreciation for everything our parents do for us. We realize how much they actually do for us and we couldn't do anything without their love and support. Also, we realize they're not as lame as we thought they were in high school, they're actually hilarious and spending nights with them becomes one of your favorite things to do. I know, it's still weird for me to comprehend too, but that's what growing up does to you.

Tears were shed when I gave my mom one final hug and then pulled out of my driveway for the long nine-hour ride to my home away from home. I'm excited to see my friends and get back to classes, but there is a different hurt in my heart this year. One that might stay longer than last year. If sophomore year was this hard, I can only imagine what junior year will be like. Either way though, I'm thankful for the summer I got to spend at home, and I'm counting down the days till fall break when I finally get to be reunited with my true love (my bed).