Before my senior year of high school, I never felt like I understood my parents (and in turn, that they didn't understand me). This seems like typical teenager thoughts so it was nothing that was especially unusual. I didn't know any different so it wasn't weird that we would all just go off on our own after we got back home for the day.

Once senior year hit, I didn't feel especially mature but there were other things going on at that time that gave me more perspective on all the relationships in my life. I was starting to look differently at situations that I would encounter (i.e. an argument with my parents). I definitely became closer with my parents during this period in my life.And then I went off to college.

It felt weird because in college I felt like I was treated as an adult and had many responsibilities, but whenever I visited home I was treated like a small child who couldn't do much of anything. It was hard to get back into a balance and to reach that understanding again. As I spoke to my parents every time I came back to visit, they eventually realized that I wasn't that coddled kid they sent off to college anymore so it was a work in progress.

During this very tense time, where everyone has to be extra careful of what they touch and of going outside, spending time with family has been the one upside to all of this. I thought being home with my family 24/7 would drive me nuts, it's actually been really nice. Being able to sit and have chai with my parents while talking about old stories or just life in general, is an opportunity that I don't want to miss.

Growing older means doing my own things in life and that doesn't necessarily mean close to home. I know I'd regret it later on if I don't take the time now to sit down and just spend time with my family.