No matter what winter holiday you celebrate, or if you celebrate any holidays at all, part of the relief of finishing finals is getting to go home. Even if home can suck during winter break, there is something relieving about getting away from campus for a few weeks. Being on campus reminds me of papers and exams. My muscles are still tight, and my hands are still sore from finals week.
Going home for me means that I have to face the cold weather and the snow. The transition from Florida to Pennsylvania can be rough. My body is no longer used to the below freezing temperatures, and my body now thinks that 60 degrees is cold.
Even though I dread the cold, it ceases to matter when I walk out of the airportterminal and see my parents, or grandparents, waiting for me. I usually my dog, Lola, with me and she cries to get to them. My parents will go for Lola first, because they cannot talk to her on the phone like they do me. When we get in the car we talk like it hasn't been four months since I have seen them last.
After we get home the other dogs are all over me, and Lola gets jealous. We get to soak up the "we missed you" attention for a couple of days before we all start to get on each other's nerves. We will plan our family outings that never turn out as planned. We will decorate for Christmas since Mom insists that it could not be done until I got home. I will hear some sarcastic comments from my siblings about how I'm the favorite, even though we all know our brother is. We will pick the biggest tree we can find because our goal is to put the star on the tree from the loft (maybe this is the year we accomplish this goal).
It will officially feel like Christmas when my mom plays the Jackson 5 Christmas album on repeat. We will pause after each song to ask each other which song comes next which is meant to be a test, but we hardly ever get the answer wrong.
I get to see my niece. My favorite part of coming home is when she does not know that I am coming home. I get to surprise her by walking through the door or by climbing into her bed and waking her up. I am welcomed home by a loud gasp and an exclaimed "Titi!" She will tell me about her adventures in elementary school. I will get stories about her teacher, classmates, and friends. She will show me the toys that she got in my absence and we will put together a puzzle or play a game on the Wii or Wii U.
I enjoy getting to sleep in. I am now back to my own bed in my own room. I have room darkening curtains that help me pretend that morning has yet to arrive. I get to binge watch Netflix shows without feeling guilty, and I get to catch up on Game of Thrones. My mom and I will cuddle in my bed with the dogs while we watch the new season of Fuller House and Gilmore Girls. My father and I will watch Fantastic Beasts and Rogue One. My brother and I will talk about Doctor Strange.
I will wake up to a tall Christmas tree and the smell of candles. I will be surrounded by my loving family. I will be home.
Happy Holidays to everyone. Be sure to wish your fellow humans a happy winter season.
