"Yes mom and dad, I'm serious when I say I am not coming home until Thanksgiving," well wasn't that a big fat lie. After living away from home for a month and 6 days (to be exact), I realized it was time to venture on back to my hometown. I have been through sickness, health, all-nighters, friend drama, and so much more, but those stories are for another time.

Driving home today was different than ever before. All of the songs on the radio were amazing (which we all know is rare), I was in a great mood (which is kind of a surprise), and my mom and my aunt were the only two to know I was coming home for the weekend. The anticipation was eating me alive! What is my family going to say? Will they remember what I looked like before I left? Will they only care about how I am doing in school? Will I look different than before? Is it a good or bad different? Did I change? If I did, I hope it is in a good way.

To ring in the news of me coming home for the weekend, my first stop was going to see my grandfather. Man oh man, did he light up the room with his smile. Hug after hug, keppie kiss after keppie kiss, and I was loving it all! It sure is good to be the favorite, if I do say so myself. After giving the "I love college, classes are going well" spiel, it was time to move on to my next tour of duty.

Next was my mommy. Hugging and squeezing my mom was so refreshing and rejuvenating. The love was oozing out of us as we embraced. When we smile at each other it is always contagious. Seeing my mom allowed me to really appreciate the love she provides for me each and every day.

Now finally the moment I have been waiting for all day... To go and surprise my dad, brother, and sister. As I walk in the door I immediately hear footsteps pounding down the stairs, yep it was my sister. Seconds later she was squeezing me, smiling ear to ear, and not letting me go. I didn't know she loved me that much. Next in line for a hug was my dad, and he was unaware of a little stud I had in my nose, so this was about to get interesting... And as the hug came to an end he still didn't notice. Score! Oh wait, I spoke too soon.

My younger brother ratted me out, right then and there, "I'm not hugging you with that thing in your nose".

"What thing in her nose"?

So I tried to change the topic, "Oh hey dad, do I look like I gained the freshman fifteen, cause I'm feeling like it".

"No sweetie, your face actually looks thinner, you look good". Phew, haven't gained weight and changed the topic, man I'm good.

Overall, my first visit home was great. I got to surprise my family, as well as get to sleep in my own bed all in the same day. Well, I am here in my bed as I write this, and I am counting down the hours until I reunite with my roommate back at school. All in all, home is where you are always welcome, and where you can count on your brother to be a tattle tail.