From the time you get old enough to talk about college, everyone says "enjoy it... those will be the best years of your life."

Yes, that may be true.. but not for the reasons they say.

They... you know the people who know everything.. say that college is a time to be young and experience all the luxury that comes with it.. drinking, staying out late, not many rules, independence.. etc.

and unfortunately I can't count on one hand the times I've heard "you're missing out".. "you're gonna wish you had done such and such" ... etc.

Yes, some day I may look back and wonder what it would've been like to drink with my friends in high school and to go out on the weekends in college, but I will never regret the way I have chosen to spend my four years of freedom.

During my four years of college, I spent lots of time finding myself. I spent lots of nights alone because I wasn't into the party scene and deep down I'm a grandma with a ten o clock bedtime. In that time I cried and pouted a lot because I felt like I was at a disadvantage when I saw snap chats and Instagram posts of people back home out late or my college friends at some party. But it turns out those early to bed nights prepared me for my job and class the next day and gave me some quality time to get to know who I wanted to be.

I spent the weekends...almost every single one I can count... with at least one day visiting my grandparents. Some days I just visited an hour on my way to or from a visit home, and other days I went as soon as I got off work on Friday and stayed until my first class Monday morning. Now, looking back I wouldn't trade a single day. My pawpaw is no longer here on this Earth, and I am thankful I passed on other offers to spend time with him before I didn't have a chance.

I spent more time studying than I intended to, and now as I am approaching my last year before graduation I am so thankful for the way I prioritized.

College has given me great friends, a sorority I am so thankful for, memories with my precious family that I'll carry with me forever, and job experiences that I would not have found otherwise.

College has also given me a chance to rekindle old friendships during the most lonely of times, a newfound romance with an old friend, and experiences I wouldn't change for the world.

It has given me a love for the Lord that I found in my darkest days and loneliest nights. It has given me a passion for kids that I was afraid to pursue and has given me an education at a University I am blessed to attend.

So sure, when they say college will be your best days, that is true. But sometimes your best days are sitting alone in your port