In Upstate New York, there is a white house with black shutters that sits at the top of a grassy hill overlooking a small lake. It isn’t large or luxurious. It does not belong on the cover of Country Living magazine, but it can make anyone feel like they are right at home. Whether it’s the decorations inside that make the interior feel like a cozy wooden cabin, or the fact that the family that lives there welcomes everyone into their home as if it was their sole duty, it is a special place to be.

I am both lucky and proud to say that this was the house I was fortunate enough to grow up in.

Although it had almost no privacy, I couldn’t imagine spending my childhood anywhere else. To this day, I am amazed that my sister and I were somehow able to share a bedroom and closet for 18 years. That we always found space on the wall for a homemade decoration or a spot on the refrigerator for a good report card. That something so small could be perfect for our tight-knit family of four.

My parents let us travel often as kids, but the best times were spent in our backyard. Winter snowstorms meant spending the day sledding until not even my puffy, hot pink snow pants could keep the cold away. The summers were piping hot but I never swam in the lake. Instead, kayaking quickly became one of my favorite hobbies. I did not realize it at the time, but I was making memories that I would reflect on for years to come.

Although I wholeheartedly loved every inch of our property, there were plenty of moments where all I wanted was to run away. My big city dreams made it impossible for me to be completely happy in a rural town. Sure, the mountains and bright blue sky are gorgeous, but I will always prefer the stale air and busy downtown streets.

It’s not until you leave home for the first, or maybe the last time, that you realize how truly special it is; That you may never have those memories again. I wasn’t meant to stay in that house forever. (In fact, I don’t believe anyone should remain stagnant in one location for their whole life.) I knew that after I turned 18 I was moving on to bigger things, but still, it tugs my heartstrings to finally realize that this chapter of my life has closed.

The small house on the hill has taught me countless lessons over the course of my childhood. The most important lesson, however, I am still in the process of learning: to appreciate what you have while you still have the time. The future is exciting, but don’t forget to cherish the things you have in front of you. Time will go by faster than you think, so slow down and look at what is around you in the moment.