If you’re an out of state student, like me, you have probably hit a point in your college career when you just want to be back home. You miss your bed, showering without shoes, home cooked meals, calling a water fountain a bubbler, and everything else that you don’t have the comfort of at college. We also miss the major things. As fabulous as your house mom is, she isn’t the one who has been there for you all of your life. And as great as the squirrels are on campus, they just can’t take the place of your pets whom you would snuggle with on a daily basis. I’ve realized that I miss a lot of things, but it goes both ways -- things at home miss me, too.      

Take tonight, for example. My 16 year old brother texted me saying that he doesn’t want to wait a month to see me. My heart melted. I am blessed with a fabulous family who I do miss, but I will admit that I don’t always express how much I miss them. The bottom line is this: if you have younger siblings, they look up to you, and they form opinions about things through you. If you want them to think college is a joke and doesn’t need to be taken seriously, go ahead and post pictures on Facebook of you acting immaturely. If you want to be a good role model, call them up and ask about their classes, sports, relationships, or anything else. They miss you and would love to hear from you.

Your furry friend also miss you. The love of my life -- my cat -- gave me the cold shoulder the day before I jumped on my 6 a.m. flight back to Indianapolis. He sat in my Vera duffel bag and would not look at me or let me pet him. And do you know who slept on my pillow the entire next day? Franklin, that’s who. Give your animals some love when you Facetime back home and make sure that they are the first ones you hug when you go home for Thanksgiving --they are smart creatures and will resent you if you don’t miss them back.      

Then there is your extended family whom you haven’t seen since last Christmas, the ones who send you cards for your birthday. You hear news about them from your parents or siblings, but how often do you really talk to them? Hopefully, you keep in contact, because relatives miss you, too, and want to learn about how your life is going. Save the awkward, “Do you have a girlfriend/boyfriend?” and “How are your classes going?” from being asked at the next family gathering, and keep them updated along the way. No one wants to be interrogated all at once. Talk to them in doses.     

Missing home is a good thing. It shows that you are thankful for what you have outside of college. But remember that other people and things miss you, too. That means you’re an awesome person. Rock on, and take the time to talk to them.