Let’s talk about that’s near and dear to my heart which is my friends. There’s a lot of reasons I love my friends. There’s a lot of reasons we all love our friends. They’re great people. But there’s a specific thing I want to talk about that I know we all appreciate.

And that’s “I’m home” texts.

Those two words mean just as much to me as an “I love you” does. It’s not just a way to let someone know you’ve reached a destination. Those words are so much more. It’s a way to tell me that not only are you where you’re supposed to be, but also that you are safe, that you are in a good place and that you thought to let me know these things. There’s something pure about the people who wait for you to walk inside the house before they drive away. The people that take the time out of their night to think of you and where you are.

One of my best friends tells me to let her know when I make it back to school from visiting my hometown even if I didn’t see her that day. I’ve made that drive so many times and yet she still wants to know I’ve made it back.

These types of texts show so much more than a good friendship.

“I’m home” proves that you’ve surrounded yourself with a core group of people who prioritize your wellbeing. And yeah that’s friendship, but in a way that lets you know that you are valued. Because if something were to happen and I needed help, I would call the people that want to know I’m home and let them know that I’m not. And I know every single one of them would be getting in the car to come help me without me having to ask. That if they couldn’t come, they would be calling their boyfriends, their brothers, and their friends I haven’t even met in order to make sure that “I’m home” text is the outcome at the end of the night.

I hope that everyone has people to send “I’m home” texts too and I hope those same people ask them of you because I know that I feel very thankful for mine.