1. Missing Mom’s homemade food. Yes, I’m very jealous that your mom made your favorite dinner for you Saturday night, while I was stuck eating my #2 at Chick Fil-A. Unless your mom made extra cookies for you to bring and share with me, I don’t want to hear about it.
2. Missing your hometown friends. Of course you’ve joined clubs, made a study buddies, and found a solid weekend crew, but there’s nothing like the friends you’ve grown up with. The one’s who were there with you through your first pimple, first heartbreak, and first speeding ticket. The one’s where the memories are actually remembered because they weren’t drowned out with trashcan punch. Group chats and Skype dates only suffice for so long until you finally return for a break. And it’ll be like you never left.
3. Learning the norms. Different states have different lingo, different styles, and different ways of doing things. Who knew there is such diversity in culture across state borders? You’ll slightly pick up the local accent. You’ll slowly change up your wardrobe. And you might even decide to like a different type of music. It’s all okay, adapting to change makes you wholesome.
4. Being sick. Fever. Vomiting. Coughing. Chills. It’s all suddenly so much worse than you’ve ever experienced, and Mommy’s not here to comfort you. There’s nothing like having her make her scrumptious chicken soup, and playing with your hair as you lay on her lap and watch movies. Yet this time around, we’re stuck buying our own medicine, and watching Netflix on our uncomfortable dorm twin size bed. Over the phone sweet words don’t even begin to comfort our aching bodies. Anyone want to lend me their mom for the week?
5. Care packages. Care packages are probably one of the most exciting things to get. You know they are filled with lots of goodies hand-picked by your whole family. As much as you’re begging for cash… gummy worms, instant coffee, pens, socks, and maybe a new family picture without you, can be so soothing. You’ll be so thankful that they put the effort to send you some love in the shape of a big brown box.
6. A whole new identity. You can reinvent yourself. Nobody from this state knows you. Your high school reputation doesn’t count. You’re most embarrassing moments are not on anyone’s minds as you walk by. You get to be yourself, and find yourself in a whole new environment. You’ll realize certain traits of yourself you’ll want to keep, and a few that you can let go of. It’s time for a whole new you.
7. Instant conversation starter. My favorite question is, “where are you from?” Instantly, people will be incredibly interested in your whole life story. You’re suddenly so much more fascinating. They’ll ask you questions about your opinion on the weather, the state, and the people. They’ll ask you about their stereotypical idea of what they believe your state is like. But more importantly, they’ll always remember that you’re not from the area. And you’ve instantly made an impression on them.
8. Missing home. As much as you claimed to hate your hometown and get away from the people there, you miss it. You miss your annoying siblings, and your over-protective parents. You’ll miss the way your house smells. You’ll miss the gorgeous sunrises you and your friends used to stay up to watch. You’ll miss knowing every street name and every store in your community. You’ll miss the little holidays, like Halloween and Valentines’ day. Everyone told you that you’d miss home. But you didn’t believe it, until there’s an empty feeling in your heart, and when you reminisce on memories from before. You won’t realize it until you receive pictures that say “wish you were here!” and you won’t believe it until you finally return, and have a happy heart with joyful tears as you finally land in the airport for holiday break.