My first couple weeks of freshman year at college were rough. I had such a hard time adjusting to being away from home and getting used to a whole new environment. Luckily, half of my “home” was in Columbia with me. My brothers, Paul and John, were both living in Columbia while I was dealing with freshman year. One of them was a student with me at Mizzou and the other was living here for work. Anyone who has a sibling down at college with them can hopefully relate to my experience. It’s amazing. Having the reassurance that I could see them whenever I wanted to was incredibly comforting. Even though I was missing the rest of my “home” like crazy and I was having a really hard time, knowing I had them made it easier than it would have been if they weren’t with me. I had the privilege of eating lunch with them, getting dinner with them, basically eating a lot of food with them. They were my lifelines down here at college. I felt safe and protected even when I wasn’t physically with them because I knew they were just 10 minutes away when I needed them. They walked with me to all of my classrooms before school started so I knew exactly where to go. They listened to me ask the same questions about college over and over again because I was so nervous. They supported me in everything I did and encouraged me to get involved in organizations they knew I would like.

But now, both of my brothers are back with my parents in St. Louis and I am in Columbia for my sophomore year without them and I am realizing that I no longer have part of my "home" with me in Columbia. And even though I am used to the school and have an amazing support system formed in Columbia, it is still an adjustment. I know I can call them when I want to, but they are no longer 10 minutes away. Instead, they are two hours away and that’s been hard to get used to. I miss getting food with them and talking to them about all my problems and having them tell me the blunt truth because sometimes I need to hear it straight. I miss walking into the pump room at the rec and not feeling intimidated because I was with the strongest guy there (you’re welcome John). I miss Paul texting us about dinner plans and us always finding a way to make time for each other. A phone call just isn’t the same as talking to them in person. They are two of the greatest men I know and I hope they know how much I love and care about them. They are my role models, my protectors, the people I go to for advice, my best friends, they are what makes my “home” complete. And even though they aren’t in Columbia anymore, they have prepared me so much for my next three years of college. I take comfort in knowing that I can still call and talk to them about issues and I still have their unconditional love and support. I have become the person I have always wanted to be because of their guidance. I don’t think they realize how much they have done for me just by being by my side through everything. Overall, they have taught me to be myself and to not let others tell me differently. And because of that, I realized I am going to be just fine.