When I first went to college, I made it a point to stay at college as much as I could. I completely loved the thought of being on my own. As an 18-year-old, the ability to do what I wanted, when I wanted, was exactly what I wanted. If I wanted to go eat at midnight, I would. If I wanted to go on random trip to the mountains, I would. I just loved not having to ask or update my parents when I went somewhere.

After I transferred colleges and grew up a lot, I began to grow out of the “embrace the freedom of college” phase. I was dating a girl for a long time and was enjoying that stage of my life. The thing is, I was doing the exact same thing as before. Apart from having a full time engineering workload, I was giving, literally, all of my spare time to her. We would eat together almost every single night. We would make plans for any school holiday. We were always doing something on the weekends. If we had a chance: we were doing something. This once again kept me from going home; something better always came up. Really, the only time I went home was when my parents needed me or I needed something.

After she and I broke up, I found myself with a stressful workload and no one around to help me when I was feeling anxious. It was, at this point, clear where I needed to go. I started going home most weekends. I found myself packing up early on Fridays to head out as soon as I could. This semester really made me appreciate my home and really regret not going home more. No matter what was going on, I knew that my family was always there for me. Plus, there was always free food and laundry do be done, so that alone was worth it!

I know that this may not make a lot of sense, but you truly don’t realize how much you miss your family until you are with them. The more that I have been coming home, the more that I want to stay home. After having so many family members pass away in the last year, I realize how important "home" really is. Time is the one thing that you can never have back. Every time you decide to stay away, and not visit when you get the chance, is more time that you will never get to see those you love.

When you are away, you also miss the changes in your life. It seems like not long ago my sister was having pool parties, and now she is driving and growing up way too fast. I hate more than anything that I am not here more to see her. When you take a step back, you can truly seem time flying by.

Of all the things I have learned in college, the biggest lesson is to truly appreciate your real home. Getting an education is important, but nothing will ever be able to take the place of family. Time seems to keep moving faster and faster. If you aren’t careful, you will look back and wonder where the years have gone. I know with the grind of college, it is really easy to forget about your family back home. Make sure you don’t, because no matter what, they will be the ones that love you and miss you the most. Make sure you go home...your real home.

C. Long