As August comes to a close, thousands of cars across the state will be packed to the roof with luggage as the migration of students to their respective college towns begins. If your grand exit from home is anything like mine is, then you probably have your car filled with gas (thanks, Dad!), every item of clothes you own and, a year supply of toilet paper and paper towel from Costco (again... thanks, Dad!). You spend a few minutes hugging goodbye and walking through the house to make sure you didn't forget a single thing, and then you hit the road. Let's be honest, you'll probably forget the remote to the TV that goes in your room, or a dress that's hanging in your closet out of sight, or the boots you just bought for Fall and can't wait to wear. That's okay, because all of those things can be overnighted via snail mail very easily. But there's one thing you absolutely cannot forget when you leave for college: don't forget to tell your parents how much you love them.

If you're lucky like me and attend a university that you adore, then you have probably been waiting all summer for this drive to college for fall semester to begin. Your parents, on the other hand, have already figured out the next time they will see you again -- whether it's a visit up to your world or a holiday trip home. Do you blame them? As soon as you drive away they become fully, or partially, 'empty nesters' -- which from what I've heard is actually pretty sad. In fact, if I were a betting woman, I'd say maybe your mom held back some tears saying bye or your dad hugged you extra tight even if you didn't notice. Saying goodbye isn't fun for anyone, even if it is only for a little while.

Trust me, I get it. You're excited to get back to your totally flippin' awesome independence, but don't be too cool to show your parents some much-needed love. To them, their most prized possession is departing from the safety of their home and speeding on the highway only to arrive hours later in a crazy, twenty-something filled, trainwreck of a city. I am only half the worrier that my mother is, so I can only imagine the ridiculous nonsense that goes through her mind every time I hit the road.

Your parents put up with you for 18 years and (probably) paid for the gas that will get you back to your town of debauchery, so the least you can do is remind them that you love them and are going to miss them. Even if it's not as much as they will miss you.

So this one is for you, Mom and Dad. I love and miss you already.