"Home is where the heart is." That statement becomes even more true when you go home for a long weekend or break in college. It can be nice to take a breather from your new college life to re-charge in the presence of family and hometown friends. Nothing beats a home-cooked meal, a warm shower with good water pressure, and sleeping in your familiar cozy bed in your own bedroom. I am a person who has never really gotten homesick. I love being independent and experiencing new things, which is why the adjustment to college life has been relatively easy for me. Before I left for school, I told myself and my parents that I would not come home often, and I would see them for Thanksgiving break. In the back of my mind, though, I knew that being only an hour and a half away from home was a very good thing, and I would appreciate it later. Since I have left for college, I have been home three times. The fact of the matter is, going home is a luxury in college. Here are some things that I have experienced when I go home.
When you go home in college...
1. Your mom will be so excited to see you
If you are like me, you and your mom are extremely close. When I went home, my mom was unbelievably happy and excited to have me in the house again, as was I. Of course, my dad was excited as well, but nothing beats a mother/daughter relationship. Even if you were not close with your mom before you left for college, you'll find that you may begin to be. As they say, "distance makes the heart grow fonder."
2. You'll probably be interviewed by your parents
Being bombarded by seemingly unending questions from your parents can be annoying, but they just want to hear about how your life is going! Think about it: when you lived at home, you would see them every single day and they would probably ask how your day was every afternoon or evening around the dinner table. They don't have that day-to-day communication with you anymore. Calling your parents is a good idea, but it definitely doesn't happen every day, at least not for me. When you go home, just know that they have good intentions and just want to hear about your time at college, and make sure that you are happy.
3. You will be spoiled
I loved this. When I went home, my entire family went out of their way to make sure that I had a nice stay and felt more than comfortable. My parents took me out to dinner, let me watch all of my favorite TV shows and movies, and my mom did my laundry. I felt like royalty! This really showed me how much they missed me and how much I am truly loved.
4. You will have a new appreciation for your hometown
It is true that you never know what you have until it's gone. In your hometown's case, it wasn't gone, but maybe being away for a while was just what you needed for you to truly be able to miss it and revel in its beauty.
5. You will see that your siblings didn't stop growing
Seriously! Don't be surprised if your little brother is suddenly much taller than you.
6. You'll take as many showers and baths as you possibly can
Ahhhhhhh. A nice shower with water so hot and pressure so good, that it almost hurts. Not having to wear shower shoes or wait your turn. And BATHS. Nothing beats a relaxing bubble bath to ease all of your college stress away.
7. You will eat so much food
No one tells you that you will actually gain the freshman 15 at home. Your mom most likely stocked the pantry with all of your favorite snacks and bought the ingredients to make your favorite home-cooked meals. You eat all that you can before you have to go back to college cafeteria food and grocery shopping alone.
8. You'll sleep A LOT
Exhaustion will hit you and you'll end up sleeping more than you intended. You don't realize how much sleep you lose in college and how much you are on the go.
9. You will never know true love until your dog sees you
This was one of the happiest moments I have experienced. My dogs really did notice that I was gone, and they proved it by jumping on me and licking me uncontrollably.
10. You'll realize that while the dynamic of your home is different without you, your family will always welcome you with open arms
You will always have a place to come home to, which is a very comforting feeling.
