Moving halfway across the country for college this year has been a struggle, especially now that the holidays are coming. I’m missing my family and thinking about some of the things I can’t do with them because I’m not home. It hasn’t been easy, but it has me thinking a lot about everything that I have here that makes me feel at home even though I’m so many miles away.

I’m thankful for my friends, who come into my room and say “We’re ordering pizza” even though I had eaten less than an hour before and who are always down for a spontaneous study break trip to the mall. I’m thankful for my roommate for having dance parties with me when I’m stressed, for comforting me when I cry over sad movies, and for talking it out with me when I’m homesick.

I’m thankful for my moms college roommate for constantly calling me, offering to take me out for dinner, and making sure that I’m doing okay. And I’m just as thankful for her husband for making me laugh so hard that my stomach hurts every time I see them. I’m thankful for her childhood friends who's still live in the area as well for offering to let me babysit and constantly asking when is a good time for them to stop by and see me even though I seem to be busy all the time.

I’m thankful for my friends from home who I still talk to everyday. Even though it’s sad thinking about not seeing them face to face everyday like we used to, it’s comforting knowing that they’re still there, and I can’t wait to see all of them in a few days.

Last but not least, I’m thankful for my parents. While I love and miss them so much everyday, I’m so grateful to them for giving me the opportunity to come here and find my family away from my family in my home away from home.