Coming back home for the first time since I moved away has been the most interesting experience thus far. I've cried, laughed, smiled, and spent as much time as I possibly could with those who matter the most in my life. With that being said, I had a lot of down time in during the day, where I was holed up in my house waiting for my family and friends to finish work and school. Interestingly, I've discovered that while I do miss home, I'm really glad that I moved away. So, here are the top 5 realizations I made in the one week that I've been home.

1. People tend to stay the same.

Spending time with my friends made me realize that they are exactly the same as they were when we graduated from high school. Because I was the only one in my main friend group who moved away for college, I came back as a different person. I've experienced things that my friends don't have the chance to because they are staying at home for their first couple of years. It saddens me to think that my friends haven't really evolved much within the last two months, yet I feel as if I've changed a lot.

2. It's as if I never left.

Ironically, I fell back into a familiar routine almost as soon as I got home. Dinner with my family, washing dishes, talking about school and work, etc. The only difference is that now, I'm a visitor ... And while it's nice to get back into this routine, I feel as if I've outgrown it. But the idea is comforting that I can effortlessly re-incorporate myself into the lives of my friends and family.

3. Distance made the heart grow fonder.

I didn't realize how much I actually missed my boyfriend until I was back in his arms. Leaving Jordan is probably one of the hardest things I've ever done before. It pains me to think that I'm just a visitor in his life right now, someone who he only gets to see a few months out of the year. But with that being said, each moment I spend with him is extremely special. I wouldn't trade our time together for anything because it's extremely precious. I only have a short amount of time with Jordan, so every moment counts!

4. Sometimes you have to move on.

It's mean to say that I don't want to hang out with some of my old high school friends ... But I realize that I've outgrown them. I'm not the same person I was 2 months ago. I have a taste of the real world, and it's far more important than the dramatics of my old friends.

5. You realize who's really important.

I honestly feel bad that I haven't spent as much time as I should've with my family. I was focused on my boyfriend and friends, and in the process, really hurt my mom. But I know now that she's my rock. My mom and Jordan: they're the most important people in my life right now.

In moving away, I gained perspective. Things that I once took for granted, are moments that I yearn for now that I no longer live in Hawaii. I've grown up a little. I've experienced what it's like to be independent, free from parental constraints and curfews. But I also miss home. Always have, always will. Home is where the heart and good food is!

Coming back home made me realize why I moved away in the first place. I couldn't have grown if I stayed in Hawaii. I would've been exactly the same as I was when I graduated from high school. And I can honestly say that I love the person I'm becoming, and I can't wait to see where life is going to take me.