Let's flashback to the summer after my freshman year of college when I was forced to move back home because I lived in a dorm. It was an experience. My mom and I fought all the time and of course she always had to be right. I couldn't wait to get back to school where I could go to the bar on a Thursday night without being asked a million questions. The one thing I told myself when I finally got back to school was that I'll never move back home, but here we are.
I'm 21 years old, about to be a senior in college, and I moved back in with my parents for the summer. This is not ideal at all, but I'm still in school with very little money. I have been on my own for two full years now where I don't have to tell my parents where I'm going or what I'm doing or what time I'll be home. It's not like I hide anything from my parents, it's just they don't understand what goes on at college nowadays. I just really like my freedom so moving home was not my first choice.
I moved home this time for a job and my roommate at school had some issues. After being on my own for so long I was scared about how I would adapt to being back where my parents wanted to know my every move. I could no longer stumble home at 2 a.m. or throw up the morning after a huge night out due to how hungover I was. I had to pull my shit together and act like I'm a civilized young adult who doesn't act like a fool when I'm away at college.
Upon arriving home my parents asked me literally a million questions and couldn't stop telling me how excited they were to have me home for the summer. Yippee.
I quickly realized that two years makes a huge difference. I wasn't that 19-year-old anymore who literally got annoyed at anything my parents would do. I was actually starting to enjoy their company. Now there are perks to being home like free, home-cooked food, quality showers and a driveway, but those are all beside the point. I didn't mind living back at home for the first time in my life.
My mom and I have always been close, but this time we're more like best friends. She doesn't have to discipline me anymore and she has come to realization that I will not be home before midnight if I'm at a bar. I keep my room clean, do my own laundry and even unload the dishwasher for her without anyone even asking me. I never realized how much I grew up before this.
I also realized that family is forever. Friends can be so harsh these days and are willing to drop you so quickly, but with family that's not the case. All those times that summer after my freshman year when I wanted to go back to school so badly to see my friends was time I took for granted with my family. Those roommates I couldn't wait to see have not been there for me nearly as much as my family has. There is so much love at home that I never realized until now. It's love that I will never get in college housing.
I'm glad I sucked it up and moved back home because I have a whole new appreciation for my family. If your out there reading this and it's your summer after your first year of college, I promise you it will get better. With some growing up and realizations it will all be OK.