As freshman year came to a close, I realized that I really missed home. Man, I needed a break. I needed to relax, kick up my feet, and have no worries. However, with that being said, my summer, really isn't much of a summer. Hah, yeah, it's only nine days. Why do you ask? I'm taking summer classes, while everyone else is living up their vacation.

I didn't want to go anywhere though, I just wanted to go home. Home for me is Panama City Beach. Yeah, yeah, I know, the legendary PCB. Spring break! Heck yeah! Yeah, no. PCB is my home, where I have grown up, and to be honest, I absolutely despise spring break down here. Summer though? Ugh, the beach? Amazing. Beautiful. Relaxing.

It is astonishing to see how much I really missed home, so here are a few reasons on why going home, even if it is just for a little while, is the best decision you can make.

1. Home is where the heart is.

I guess I just really needed to have a care-free week. School wore me out, and seeing my bed, oh my bed, just made my day. Not having to worry about doing my laundry, having that sweet home-cooked food by my parents, and seeing my pups, what more could a girl want?

The first thing I did when I returned home was run into the house and see my sweet dogs, Cash, Cain, Butch, and Sadie while at my Mom's house. They are just the best welcomers at the door, well, and my parents too.

2. If you're lucky, you live by a beach like me.

After being greeted by my loving pets, I hit the beach. Sitting in the sun is probably one of my favorite feelings in the world. Plus the getting into that nice, cool, Gulf, is the most wonderful feeling. More importantly, the salt water helps clear acne, now that is a great bonus. I can work on my tan, take a nice little nap, and relax for hours (until I may or may not be burnt).

3. You get to see all your friends.

I really missed my friends, more than I thought. I have lost touch with some people that I never thought was possible, and seeing them, just made my day. You just pick up right where you left off at. Again, you can just hit the beach, go get some food, and catch up after months of being apart. I love reminiscing about the past, all of our old memories together, it is like things didn't even change a bit.

4. The food, ugh, yeah...can't beat it.

As I have said before, I love me some good cooking. Hitting up all of my favorite restaurants while I am home, hits the spot. In Tallahassee, I really can't find the true, fresh, seafood I have been brought up with here. Or the Mexican food, ugh, finding the place with the best queso is key to a relaxing vacation. NO. The acai bowls, I can't forget those! Don't get me wrong, I love my parent's cooking, but for lunch, I do want to go to some of my favorites places before my "summer" break ends.

5. The shopping, oh the shopping.

On the real, I love going to all of my little local shops to see what new merchandise has come in. Visiting my old workplace, hoping maybe they will still let me use my discount (yeah, they won't)? Even better, when my parents allow me to use their credit card to pick out a few new outfits. I absolutely adore the idea of finding new and original clothes that I can't find anywhere in Tallahassee, makes me feel, different.

6. Spending time with the family.

I missed my Mom. I missed my Dad. I missed my Step-Dad. I missed my brothers. I haven't seen them in months, actually, since Easter, but still, it is odd to go without seeing them in person for a long period of time. I have always been a homebody, I enjoy just relaxing and watching tv in the game room, or helping out around the house. Let's face it, parents do so much for us kids/young adults, and I do sometimes take it for granted. I miss hugging my Mom after having a hard day or talking to my Dad about school work. Just spending time with them, even if there is nothing to do, is just, just great.

7. I don't even think there needs to be a seventh reason.

All in all. I just missed home. As my nine days come to an end, I never want to leave, unless it is to see a special someone, hey dude, but other than that, Memorial Day weekend just can't come fast enough. Catch me at the island all weekend if you need me!

See ya later PCB, be back in a few weeks, just promise you won't change too much while I'm gone. Thanks.