When I was picking a college/university to attend, I was hoping to go somewhere kind of far away.

I specifically wanted to be far enough away that I wouldn't be stuck with the same people I've known for at least the past four years in high school, but I wanted to stay close enough where I could come home for a weekend if needed and it wouldn't be an impossible task.

I found my happy medium at Susquehanna University, approximately 200 miles from my house.

I knew being that far away would cause my best friends and me to become closer, but I had no idea that I would grow closer to my family as well.

I am the youngest of four in a family of six. When I started college, one of my sisters and my twin brother were also attending college.

That left only my parents and my oldest sister at home when school was in session.

When I was away at school, I was also alone.

I made friends of course, but I feel like there's no way for your friends to give you the same sense of family that your actual family gives.

When I come home from school, I help out around the house more than I did in high school, partially because I can't do those things at school.

I learned to appreciate doing certain chores at home because nobody else would do them (partially due to time constraints) such as cleaning the stove top or cleaning out the fridge.

When I do come home, I don't have a job to go to or anything, leaving me home all day to do the things that my parents and sister don't necessarily want to do after a long day at work.

I've noticed my dad appreciates me more now that I've learned to do these things and he actually seems happy when I come home.

Another very important factor in my getting closer to my family is my age and maturity. College really has made me see things in a different light and I can think more like an adult; in other words, more like them.

Being away from my family for months at a time makes the time we do spend together feel even better. I feel happier with my family now (part of which could have to do with taking a break from them).

I have always loved my family, I just love and appreciate them more now. There are things that I never realized weren't "normal" in a family until talking with people from different backgrounds.

Bringing these things to light means I get to be grateful for them while also recognizing them.

You can't choose your family, but sometimes you get what you want in one anyway.