If you've ever been a babysitter, you can understand the undying, mushy, weird, affection you have for children that are not your own. The ability to hand them off to their respective slaves (the parents) at the end of a long day and later on, come back to their innocent faces, is the beauty of being a babysitter.

When the time comes and you must leave town, move off to college, start a new career, or simply grow up and move away from the pestering, outstanding, funny, magical, innocent, baffling, munchkins you love so dearly, the distance carries with it a longing for the tiny creatures who bring joy and levity to life.

The realities of longing can seem pathetic and innately parental to outsiders, but it's the love that counts.

1. You want to baby-nap them and take them to college with you.

2. You cry over their pictures when you're vying for innocence and simplicity in your hectic life.

3. You look at college gear for yourself and them. But really for them first.

4. Your heart explodes at every photo posted of them.

5. You constantly show off their photos -- always on the hunt for your favorite but realizing that Every. Single. One. IS your favorite.

Gushing over their faces, detailing their every little quirk, like, dislike, change, patterns of growing up, unique quality, and anything and everything you can't get enough of-- you end up sounding like a mother, ranting about her children.

6. You keep their photos in your 'shrine of children you love'.

They're the real wizards of our mortal world, possessing magical powers to turn that frown upside down.

7. You feel guiltier than if ever if they see you do or say anything that's not "kid friendly".

8. You want to show them everything good and amazing in the world.

9. You refuse to go home without spending at least half your time with them.

When your own parents begin to question where your priorities lie.

10. You would drop everything negative in your life for their sake.

After taking a deep breath from the overwhelm of emotions, you stop and remember that you love the parents as much as you love the kids because they created these outstanding midget humans for you to cherish endlessly.