If your parents have ever come to visit you at school, you know the feeling of excitement it brings. My mom finally got to visit for the first time this past weekend and I got to experience this feeling first hand. Here are the nine stages of having your parents come visit:
1. The Excitement
Your mom texts you: "Hey, is ________ a good time to visit? I'm coming!" Instantly, you get filled with excitement and begin planning your weekend together. You finally get a chance to show them your new home away from home and they get to see what your life is like away at college.
2. The Panic
Let's be honest, a certain level of panic arises when you realize your parents are coming. You realize this means you must clean every inch of your room before they arrive and make sure your life is put together (or at least make it seem like it is) when they come.
3. The Arrival
The day has finally come; your parents have arrived! You hug them as tight as you possibly can and immediately want to start showing them around your home and introduce them to your friends.
4. The Feeling of Adulthood
For once in your life, you know more about something than your parents. You know how to get everywhere, where to eat, and what to do and this gives you an overwhelming sense of adulthood. You truly have the upper hand for once and its a very adult feeling.
5. The Fullness
One of the biggest perks of your parents coming to visit is the food. For a whole weekend you won't step foot in the cafe, and man it feels great. If you're lucky, your parents will also probably stock your fridge, which is like an early Christmas gift to college students.
6. The Adventure
If your parents come to visit, you might do something you have never done with them before. This could mean exploring a new part of your new home or even taking them out (and if you do, you might just find out what they were like in college).
7. The Independence
At one point in the weekend, you will probably realize how independent your life has become without them. Although it feels great to have your parents with you for a whole weekend, it makes you appreciate the independence you have gained in college.
8. The Sadness
When you realize your parents will be leaving soon and you will be on your own again, you may start to get sad and feel a little homesick. While you appreciate your independence, you still miss the comfortable dependence that you have with them.
9. The Goodbye
Here comes the worst part: saying goodbye all over again. Your parents are leaving and you are definitely sad to see them go. However, you are also probably thankful that you got to see them and already can't wait for them to visit again.
So if you are lucky enough to have your parents visit, make sure you take advantage of this opportunity and don't let it go to waste. This is a perfect time to have some much needed bonding time and catch up, so don't waste it. Make sure you hug your parents extra tight while you have them here, because you'll miss them when they're gone.
