Now that I’m away at school, and it’s just my mom and three cats (I know, she’s crazy), she has made the decision to move from my childhood home. I’m actually a little excited. As a child, I always wanted to move into a new house and decorate a new room, but I've spent the past 20 years in the same, comfortable home. At the same time, it’s hard to believe that I won't be returning home to the place where I began my life and made so many memories.

To my bedroom(s): To my upstairs room, first -- you rock. Thanks for letting me paint you a million times. Even when I splatter painted you, you still loved me. Thanks for seeing me through my awkward middle school stages, which left you with glitter in every nook and cranny. I hope you didn’t take it personally when I decided to move downstairs. To my downstairs room: we had a short time together, but the speakers in your ceiling make it worth coming home. I always loved how chilly you were and the fact you had no windows made you perfect for napping. Love ya much.

To the kitchen: Oh, the memories. From the time I fell backwards off of my chair as a toddler, to all of the Christmas cookie exchanges. I’m sorry we always made you smell terrible when we made frozen pizzas and the cheese at the bottom of the stove made the smoke alarm go off. You were the best place to practice my pirouettes. Thanks for catching my fall. I’ll never forget all the after-school pizza rolls we had together.

To Mom’s room: Thanks for catching every tear. We’ve been through some tough times together, pal. You have been my main spot of residence for the past few years. Thank you for bringing Mom and me closer, and making space for all of us in your bed (cats included).

To the basement: I don’t even know where to begin. You were the place where I learned to use the computer (with dial-up internet). You were the scene of my first kiss. You gave us shelter during every tornado warning, and warmth during every frigid winter night. Thanks for hosting all my gatherings from my gymnastics “parties” in the third grade to my 18th birthday party senior year. I know these long nights always left your floor a sticky mess, but some great memories were made with you.

To my comfy, cozy living room: Some of the best memories were spent curled up on the sofa, unwrapping gifts under the tree, or dying of laughter at childhood home videos. Even when we weren’t home for Christmas, I couldn’t let Mom get away with not putting up the tree. Thank you for all of the Christmas eves and mornings; so much magic happened in this room. Thank you for hosting all of my friends and family. Thank you for a spot to watch TV or do homework. Thank you for the million times mom and I ate dinner on the couch, and occasionally spilled. When I came home on breaks, it made me so happy to just sit in this room. There's always a candle burning to remind me of the smell of being home. I never felt more at home than I did in this room.

My mom's new home is beautiful and I can't wait to see it more when I go home over breaks, though it will surely never store half the memories found in my childhood home. I wouldn't change those 20 years for the world.