Going home for the first time in almost three months is an exciting time. Everyone I know is beginning to make their plans at their various salons and to see their friends and make the most of this upcoming break. Despite doing the same, I can't wait to go home and experience the little things with my family that I have missed so much since I've been here.

Between going to yoga with mom, Dunkin Donuts with dad, and the little sing-alongs in the car to the bagel shop with my sisters, these things seemed like normal occurrences to me until I got here. I never realized how I took these special moments for granted and how much I would appreciate them once I got here.

College has taught me something that my mom has tried to instill in me for years. As I would constantly try to be with my friends throughout high school, elementary school, and middle school, she would always tell me that family is the most important thing. It is unfortunate that it took me until college to realize this, but now that I do, I can't wait to go home this break and truly appreciate the time that we have together.

MOM:

To my amazing mother,

The advice you have given me for my time in college has been nothing but true. Staying true to myself is something that you have emphasized to me since I was little. Sometimes in high school, this is a difficult task, but I have taken this advice and ran with it since I've been here.

I make my own decisions now and my actions are reflections of myself without the persuasion of anyone else. Sadly, the one piece of advice I have not been following is separating my laundry by color...I can hear you in my head every time I throw every different color into one machine, but I am convinced that this is a myth because nothing bad has happened yet!

I can't wait to see you and eat your amazing home-cooked meals.

DAD:

To my amazing father,

Dad, I can't even put into words how much I miss those crack of dawn Dunkin Donuts runs before dropping you off at the train station. As waking up at an ungodly hour to bring you to the train station so that I could have the car for the day used to seem like one of the most unpleasant experiences ever, I now find that I miss them more than anything. I also took for granted the Saturday morning drives to dance.

Although I dreaded every Saturday, blasting the BeeGees was something that I could always look forward to. I can't wait to see you!

To My Two Sisters:

Emma and Lily, your growth since I left for school have inspired me. When you came for parents weekend, I was amazed by the new things you both have experienced and how you have learned from them in such great ways. From boy problems to friend problems to everything in between, you both have handled everything with such grace.

As an older sister, this makes me feel like I've set the path for you guys, but I have come to find that you have done this on your own. I am so incredibly proud of you both and I can't wait for our trips to (church) aka Boston Bagel Company...

Sorry, mom and dad...Can't wait to see you!!

I love you all endlessly and I am beyond grateful for all you have done.

Caroline