Halloween is officially over, which means one thing: Thanksgiving. Coming home for Thanksgiving break truly makes you appreciate going home and all the things we often take for granted. Here are seven things to be grateful for while at home this holiday season:
1. Your mom's cooking
Finally your diet can have a break from mac n' cheese, cereal, and popcorn. Getting cooked your favorite meals and feasting on mashed potatoes and turkey on Thanksgiving is a much needed break from your college lifestyle, and it truly makes you wonder how you've been functioning for the last three months.
2. Your bed/room
As much as I love my roommate, there's nothing like having a room to yourself, a big bed to stretch out on, and complete silence when trying to fall asleep.
3. Your pets
Nothing makes you feel more loved than a greeting from your dog after being away at school for so long. And even though your cat may be totally rude sometimes, you never realize how much you missed him/her until they cuddle up next to you while you watch TV.
4. Nice alcohol
Even though boxed wine and 3 dollar bottles from 7/11 gets the job done...nothing beats a nice bottle of wine that your parents have been waiting to share with you upon your arrival.
5. Your hometown
I love my college town, but every time I go home I get a deeper appreciation for the place I grew up in. My favorite restaurants, neighborhoods, boutiques, and scenic spots get better with each visit.
6. Your friends from home
The people I've met in college are now some of my best friends, but you will never have the same relationships with them that you have with your friends from home. Your friends from home stayed friends with you through your awkward stage in middle school, your "too cool for you" stage in high school, and spent endless hours with your family to the point where they were basically your parents' additional child. Going home for the holidays would not be complete without spending time with these people.
7. Family time
In high school, it was always annoying not to be allowed to hang out with friends because your parents wanted to "spend time with you." College makes you finally understand where they were coming from. Not only did I start calling my mom every single day since I started college two years ago, but now I find myself asking her not to leave my side while I'm home for break.
There are so many things to be thankful for, but the little things often get overlooked when we sit around the Thanksgiving table and say what we are grateful for.
I am thankful for my health, my family and friends, and my lifestyle. But it is the little moments I spend at home over break which fill me with gratitude. Whether it's pulling into my driveway after the long drive home from school, the feeling of stepping into my favorite restaurant and ordering my favorite sandwich, or sipping wine instead of Burnetts with my parents at the dinner table while I tell them a funny story from school; it's small things like this which make me look around and feel truly happy to be home, even if it's just for a little.
