Going home for the first time during your freshman year of college feels like one of those cliché movie scenes where a couple is running towards each other in slow motion from opposite sides of a beach after being separated. Instead of running towards a singular person, you’re running towards your family, your old friends, your bed, your pet- everything that makes your home, your home. Last weekend, I knew my family would be out of town, but that had no effect on my decision in coming home. Luckily, this wasn’t my first time going home since school started (on numerous occasions, in fact,) but it was my first time to see one of my best friends since I moved into my little dorm in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
After an hour and a half of driving, I spotted my best friend’s black Toyota Corolla with its University of Alabama car tag, and internally, I screamed. Seeing your best friend for the first time after a while feels literally like you’re starting right where you left off. Nothing was awkward, except for how excited we were to see each other. We embarrassingly squealed like two little girls and immediately started gossiping about how college was going. I told her about all of the protestors on Southern Miss’ campus, which took her by surprise because apparently there are no intense protestors at the University of Alabama. We talked about new friends, classes, professors, essays and everything in between. That night, we went to our high school’s football game and visited our old teammates on the dance team. It was a very nostalgic experience as I stood under the “Friday night lights” without my uniform.
The next few days for me were spent sitting in the comfort of my home with my beloved dog. I never thought I would miss her as much as I did. I slept in until 11 a.m. for the first time since the summer, and my oh my was it heavenly. I have missed my bed and my room so incredibly much. Another thing I’ve missed is having a toaster to make Eggo Waffles for breakfast. Sure, The Fresh has a waffle bar, but there has always been something about waking up in the mornings, going to the freezer to pull two chocolate- chip Eggo Waffles out of their bright yellow box and putting them into the toaster before they pop out and scare the hell out of you. It’s the little things in life that keep me happy.
Going home to see your family, your friends or even your pet is well worth it. Even if you don’t get to physically visit your family, call them because you have no idea just how much you miss them until you get to hear their voices over the phone after a hard day of classes and running all over campus.
