When I was a little girl, I always wanted to be a princess. My parents could always expect me to run to my room after a long day of school and put on my Princess Belle costume. Immediately after, I would rush to watch my VHS tape of "Beauty and the Beast." I was enthralled in the magical world of true love and singing animals. I would never have imagined loving something as much as I loved my Disney Princesses—until I was handed my first "Harry Potter" book.

I was up the whole night reading "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," barely getting enough sleep for school the next morning. It was everything I had ever dreamed of, a book about a faraway land where I could escape to at a second's notice. Witches, wizards, goblins and house-elves were my new best friends.

Suddenly I stopped dreaming of being the damsel in distress, but the heroic Hermione who was always saving her friends. After the first book, I ripped through the series like it was my job. I remember my mom laughing, telling me I spent more time reading "Harry Potter" than I did conversing with the outside world. After every book, my dad would take me out on a daddy-daughter date to go see the new "Harry Potter" movie. I could barely contain my excitement every time.

When I was younger, "Harry Potter" was my safe place. When school was challenging, I would turn to my book. When I felt lonely, Harry, Ron and Hermione were there to comfort me. Whenever I needed advice on life, Dumbledore offered words of wisdom. Harry taught me to be brave and always make the right choice, even when it is not the easy one. Ron taught me to challenge myself and always laugh at the little things in life. Hermione taught me to be bold and believe in myself, no matter who was doubting me. Most importantly, Dumbledore taught me that happiness can be found even in the darkest of times.

When I was lucky enough to visit Universal's Harry Potter World, I felt like I was walking on clouds the entire time. I was filled with pure happiness, drinking my Butter Beer and peering into Ollivander's Wand Shop. I felt no stress that day, similar to when I was a child. I was simply happy to be alive.

Now as I make my way through college, I am faced with challenges every day. Life is not as simple as it was when I was a child and I am forced to deal with problems I often feel I am not prepared to face. There is the stress of grades, responsibilties and of course the pressure to live up to my parent's expectations. Sometimes it can feel like too much, and I am left searching for a compass to help guide me. Those are the times I remember the life lessons J.K Rowling taught me when I was a child. I remember the importance of believing in myself when tasks seem impossible, like Hermione showed me. I remember the importance of facing my battles alone especially when I think I can't, like Harry taught me. Most importantly, I remember that even when I feel all alone, the ones I love are always near.

Yes, life is harder than it used to be when I was a kid dancing around in my dress up clothes without a care in the world. However, that doesn't mean it is better than my life now. I may have more responsibilities and more stressors, but I know how to remind myself to appreciate the little things and always be positive. Dumbledore put it perfectly by saying, "The consequences of our actions are always so complicated, so diverse, that predicting the future is a very difficult business indeed." There is no reason to waste time stressing about the future. What happens will happen, and what truly matter is how I choose to deal with what comes my way. I can face the future with confidence, knowing my parents have prepared me for what lies ahead.

I also know I can thank J.K. Rowling for instilling in me lessons and beliefs that make navigating through this complicated life a whole lot easier. And sometimes when I need a little refresher of those important lessons, I find myself sitting back down with my "Harry Potter" book and reminding myself that Hogwarts is my home.