Whether you’re in college or are an adult living their adult life, we all know that eerily peaceful feeling of going back to our hometowns. You go for a weekend to celebrate someone’s birthday or you go home for the holidays and this weird mix of feelings wash over you of happiness at being home in familiar territory, sadness at how much has changed since it was considered “home” and the oddly conflicting feelings at the end of wishing the trip wasn’t over yet excitement to go back to the new “home” you’ve created somewhere else. The first few times you go home you don’t really notice this, but that first trip back home can leave you feeling somewhat sad and confused. It all feels so different, yet somehow you still feel like you can easily go back into your old life there. These are some of the feelings I always have when I go to my hometown.

1.When you finally see a familiar landmark after the long trip there

You can finally understand just why your parents hated long car rides with whining children, you almost annoyed the crap out of yourself constantly wondering, “Am I there yet?”

2. Finally seeing the person you missed the most

It doesn’t matter how old I get, seeing my mom for the first time in weeks/months will always be my favorite feeling.

3. Getting to eat out at the restaurant you missed the most

No one does steak & rice with white sauce like a Japanese restaurant in my hometown.

4. Seeing someone you used to know who still lives in your hometown

The awkward “Oh hey, how’ve you been? Long time, no see!” conversation is one of the things I most dread when I go back.

5. Seeing the 15 new stores and 10 new apartment complexes that have miraculously been built since you were last home.

Seriously, how do they pop up so quickly?

6. Going to your old Target or grocery store to pick up something and feeling like you stepped into a time machine because everything is exactly as you left it

Some things really do never change.

7. Sleeping and waking up in your old bedroom

It's like taking a trip down memory lane to all of those sleepless nights you spent thinking about things that don't even matter now but you can still feel the way you felt those nights. Then you wake up and almost start getting ready for school before you realize you're an adult now.

8. Hearing about how everyone's lives just went on without you there

Not that you thought their worlds revolved around you, but it still feels weird to hear the stories that take place when you’re not there to experience it with them.

9. Seeing that landmark from #1 fade into the distance as you leave to go back home

Until next time.