Every college student knows that the best weekends are the weekends where you finally have the chance to go home. Whether it's for a quick weekend trip or it's one of the much needed long breaks from college, going home is always the exact boost you need to keep going in the craziness that is college. After two years of weekend trips back home, I've figured out just what is so great about going back home.
1. The wave of memories that overtake you as you drive across your city line.
As you drive through town, you're overwhelmed with the memories of driving the same streets late at night in your invincible high school days. You remember the school dances, the Friday Night Lights, the sleepovers a best friend's, and, of course, the late night runs for food. All the memories from the four years you spent running the very streets your currently driving, hit you all at once, and you drive the rest of the way home with a smile.
2. The feeling of unconditional love when your dogs greet you at the door...and then spend the next hour still greeting you.
There's nothing quite like being greeted at your car door and/or front door by all your favorite furry creatures. Even if it's been months since you last saw them (and in that time the puppy has tripled in size), they remember you and they will shower you with so much love. They don't care if it's been 3 months, 3 days, or even 3 hours -- they're just happy you came back to be with them.
3. The laughter and giddiness you experience when you're sitting on the couch listening to your family tease each other.
No one teases you quite like your family. They know all your quirks, tells, and embarrassing moments and they're not afraid to use them to their advantage. While you may have hated it in high school, you randomly find yourself missing it when you go off to college and even looking forward to it as you start home.
4. The feeling of comfort when you lay in your bed for the first time in months.
Nothing quite makes me happier than falling into my bed after a long day, however the best feeling is falling into your bed at home after a long semester. This bed was with you through your tumultuous high school days where it paid witness to all the heartbreak and joy you experienced those four years. It's a great comfort to know that even if you change in your college years, your bed will never stop being the kind and comforting soul it's always been.
5. The sense of being known when your mom knows just what to ask to get you to spill everything that's going on in your life.
Moms have this sixth sense when it comes to your feelings. They know when your happy, frustrated, excited, anxious, sad, nervous, etc etc etc, and the worst/best part -- they know just how to make you spill your guts. While it may be pretty easy to hide your feelings from her when you're hours away, it's about impossible when you're sitting in the kitchen with her. She'll pull them out of you so quick, you won't even realizing it's happening until it's long over.
6. The satisfying feeling after your first home-cooked meal in months.
In college everything is about how quick and convenient something actually is -- especially food. However, when you go home your parents are so excited to see you that you end up eating more than you could ever possibly handle. So get ready for every single one of your favorites because Mom isn't letting you leave until you resemble Angelica just a teeny bit more.
7. The nostalgic feeling you feel as you sit with your high school bff's in your old high school haunts.
As you sit and catch up, you find yourself lost in the memories of the birthday or holiday parties that were always hosted at the same friend's, or framily dinners you used to have at the local Italian restaurant. You reminisce as you drive by the late-night breakfast haunts and picture you and your best friends eating while you celebrated the latest FNL win. While it may have been months or even years since you last saw any of your high school friends, the memories still hold a special place in your heart and will forevermore induce a fond smile as you think back.
8. The heartbreaking feeling you get as you drive away at the end of the visit.
No matter how far away you go or how long it is in between each visit, home will always be home. The memories will still linger in the cracks long after you're gone. The town, places of businesses, and houses were just the backdrops as you and the people you love created memories that will always continue to bring you comfort when you're feeling just a little homesick in your big college town.
