Part of growing up means that you might start moving on from your childhood. That can mean different things for different people. Shopping at different stores, watching different shows and movies, not eating the dinosaur chicken nuggets when you are eating out. Different people grow up in different ways and that's okay. One important thing to remember is that its okay to keep in touch with your inner child.

Before leaving for college, my boyfriend and I have been doing many different things to relive our childhood and keep that inner spark alive in us. We have gone to Build-A-Bear and built bears for each of us, we have gone through stories of our childhoods, and we are currently binge-watching the first 100 episodes of SpongeBob with no shame, we went and saw Toy Story 4 as a date, we build lego sets. We aren't afraid to act immature every once in a while. We have fun doing these things because we do them together and what we do makes us happy.

Everyone's childhood is different. How you choose to relive it is up to you. If you want to keep some old toys you used to play with, that's okay. If you want to watch a children's show because if brings you joy, go for it. If you want to go back to the stores you used to shop at, have fun. Do whatever makes you happy. It's okay to act like a kid sometimes. Its okay to go see the newest Pixar movie if that's what makes you happy.

In my house, being a child is appreciated. You are allowed to express yourself in whatever way makes you feel most comfortable. Being colorful is applauded. One of the most important lessons I have learned is that when you have memories in your life that you enjoy, embrace them for as long as you can. Don't be afraid to take a stuffed animal or 2 to college with you.