Going home for the first time since you left college is an amazing feeling. After a month and a half, I finally walked through my door and was instantly hit with the fragrance of my mom's Indian food. It's funny because my friends always told me my house has a very distinct scent and it wasn't until that moment that I could smell it. It was a blend of spices and home.

Being with your family after a long time makes all the little issue melt away when you finally meet. My brother and I didn't fight once when I went back. The distance strengthened our bond. And when we reminisced we talked about the happy memories that were made and about what was new.

When I was with my family every day of every week of every year, I didn't know what I had. I focused on going away, being independent. Many college students do the same thing. We are so focused on growing up and doing what we want and moving on, that we forget to really cherish the luxury of being loved by our parents or having those family dinners and movie nights. We won't ever get that time back. But we can cherish the time we do get with our families now. And I think the best way to do that is to take your focus away from what you want and focus on what your loved ones want.

The best feeling is the happiness you feel when you see your mother or brother happy. Try to cook with your mother instead of forcing her to take you to the mall. Take your little brother out for ice cream. Spend time with your dad listening to music. Doing things that they love will allow you to show your family how much you love them. And you'd be surprised at how much you enjoy the activities they do.

When I went home, my mother and I watched Bollywood movies all day long, we made Indian tea and eggs for breakfast Saturday morning like we used to do. And it was just very relaxing and calming to leave the stressful campus atmosphere for the cozy home ambiance.

No one will love you as much as your mother or father, so we must cherish them for as long as we can, and we must show them that we care and that we love them. When you go home, don't forget to tell them you love them!