I wrote an article a year ago about how leaving my parents was the hardest thing I would ever have to do, but I was wrong. Coming home to home-cooked meals, snuggles with your mom, dad jokes, brunch sessions every Sunday, and wine nights every Thursday, and then having to leave all of that tops the cake.

Never a day goes by that I don't reflect on how lucky I am to have my parents. To have people to be by my side through the tough times, people to pay my various credit card bills, people to laugh at me when I deserve it, and people to make leaving a home so hard.

Home isn't really a destination or a location or even a place. It's more like a feeling you get in your toes when you finally pull into your driveway after being gone for 7 months. It's the smell of your folded laundry that no matter how hard you try, you can't recreate. It's the way your mom makes you a sandwich and still cuts off the crust for you. It's the feeling you get when you snuggle up to your mom when things just aren't going right. It's the way you undesirably watch baseball with your dad for the hundredth time just to hang out. It's the feeling of home when you've been away a little too long.

Home, for me, isn't a house. It's not a room. And it's definitely not a city. It's the people I share it with. The animals that bring back childhood. And the memories that flood you when you walk through the doors. It's a safety net for when things aren't good, and a stepping ground when it's time to finally grow up.

I envy the days that my dad woke me up, I put on a ironed uniform from my mom, and ate a lunch specially made every day for me. I miss the days when my biggest worries were high school parties and shopping.

But most importantly, I miss the days that my parents were there for my every move. Parents tend to be able to fix everything. Whether its advice, a hug, coffee, or just listening, no one is there for you like your family. And sadly, phone calls will never do them justice. FaceTime can't provide hugs, and Snapchat streaks can't offer coffee.

I miss you, Mom and Dad, feel free to send money, food, or maybe just drive 10 hours and come see me, it's never too soon.