This woman right here is my lovely mother. Now I know that there is a special day to honor mothers (and fathers and other guardians) but those have always felt very commercial and cheesy to me. And as a first-year in college who’s trying to enter the adult world and also maintain my connection with home, I feel like now is an important time to explain why you’re never too old to love your parents.
1. They love you even when you’re acting like you don’t love them.
Remember those horrible pre-teen years when it was cool to act like you hated your parents, shout “you don’t understand me,” and generally just embrace your rebellious side? Or how about at the beginning of orientation or parents’ weekend, where everyone is secretly so happy that their parents are there to clean their room, pack up their stuff, and give them hugs, but publically denounced their presence? That behavior is just silly because at some point—maybe it’s your first month or your third year at Kenyon—everyone feels homesick at one point in some way or another. Maybe you’re stressed with work and just want to vent to someone who will listen, or feeling a little too far away from home (or civilization), but at one point you’re going to want to pick up the phone and call home, and I guarantee that you’ll feel less guilty doing so if you’re nice to your parents.
2. They know you best.
You may think that your parents don’t know you, but in the however-many-years you’ve been alive, they’ve picked up on a lot of how you handle yourself. When I realized how hard it was to balance homework, living away from home, and extracurriculars, my mom was the first person I called because she knew exactly how I would be able to get my work done best. When I was homesick, she knew what to tell me to do to feel better. And after months of making friends in a new place, I felt so good being home and telling stories without having to explain why I felt a certain way in those situations because they knew exactly how I’d feel.
3. You’re not “uncool” for showing affection.
I remember at the beginning of the year, my friends would think I was weird for making a point to talk to my parents every day. During parents weekend, I chose to spend both nights with my family instead of going out Friday and Saturday night. A lot of people our age feel the need to prove some animosity towards parents in the hopes of looking cool and independent, but I dislike that mindset. It’s the same feeling I’d get working at a summer camp—there’s something I find really appealing and love in a person who makes a point to show affection towards other people, be it younger or older friends and family.
4. Mom and Dad humor.
We all know that dad culture is very prevalent right now, and there’s a reason why. After a day of listening to my friends talk about the latest gossip or work they’re stressed over, I love calling my dad. Listening to one of his ridiculous jokes or hearing about something absurd that he’s done, like picked up playing the harmonica, is somehow so comforting.
5. They’re a nice go-to.
In a school that is incredible small, it’s easy to get irked by the people around us. You know the feeling—your best friend and you have been spending a little too much time together, and while you want to rant to your other friends about how annoying that little one thing is, you don’t want to cause unnecessary drama by talking behind your friend’s back. My mom and sister are great outlets through which I can get out my frustration without involving people inside the situation.
So there it is, five reasons why I love my family. Although I am 19 and in a few years I will graduate college, I still know that no matter my age I will remain incredibly connected to my family. They keep me grounded when I’m stressed and go to the ends of the earth when I need a helping hand. My dad’s hugs when I’m upset are the best things in the world. Maybe I sometimes get teased for showing my love for my family, but I’m thankful knowing I always have a constant support system.
Image Credit: Ari Tooch