Hello, it's me, your independent college student.

Yes, I know that coming home for the summer is exciting and you are glad that I am going to be home for three months getting to spend time with you. I just wanted to let you know that things are going to be different and that's okay. Yes, I am still the same me, the one you watched grow up and turn into the adult that I am today. No, I do not remember how to live in a house with three other people at all times. Yes, I have changed, but I am still the same old me. Coming home from college was not only a challenge, but my whole world shifted.

My schedule, priorities and lifestyle are probably different than you remember them. Yes, I am bringing a lot of stuff home from school and some of it is dirty laundry. No, I am not sorry that laundry is too expensive at school to do a load every week. Being home will take some time getting used to and I may be cranky for the first couple days or weeks, but it will get better.

At school I had my own schedule that worked for me and that was how I lived for the semester. I am not the same person that you dropped off on freshman move-in day nine months ago. I am more independent and learning to live my own life. We will get on each other's nerves, probably more than ever. Just remember that it is only for three months and then I am back at school. I may call school "home" and I am sorry. It is a force of habit. I am just as excited to see you and want to spend time with you too. But, I have other friends and we have the whole summer to spend time with each other.

College has changed me for the better and I am happy at school. Thank you for putting up with me and accepting me for who I am becoming. Remember that in three months I will be calling you for money, advice and trips up to see me because I forgot something.