The countdown went from months to weeks to days for the most anticipated weekend of all: “Parents Weekend”! A time where family flies hours or drives miles from home to spend time with you in your new home away from home. Although my family has been to Austin three times prior to this weekend, it will be drastically different than their past visits.

This time we're not attending meeting after meeting of Orientation to see if this is the right school for me, or running back and forth between my apartment, Bed Bath & Beyond and Target during move-in drained and exhausted. We are now coming together for the fun part. Since I have been living in ATX for about three months now, I have new places I want them to explore, new restaurants I want them to try, and new activities I want them to experience.

Parents weekend basically translates to all the things you want to do but without the worry of the “monthly budget” and having home right by your side. That means reservations for four and Dad is happily paying. Currently, my family has five reservations booked for the four days they're here along with a full itinerary from tacos to tiramisu with a touch of Uchiko. I want to take them everywhere, and they are so excited to experience ATX with me.

Austin has so much to offer. I still have yet to go to the Domain and Graffiti Park, but it’s on the itinerary! Experiencing these new places with them will be a ton of fun, and we will make memories that last forever.

My family got fortunate that Parents Weekend was selected to be on the weekend with one of the last football games of the season. That means tailgates, cowboy boots, and burnt orange galore. They will finally be able to understand what it truly feels like to be a part of the Longhorn family.

The best part of parents weekend is spending quality time with the people you love. College has made me closer with all of my family members. Although I talk to each of them every day through text, phone calls, and facetime, it is not the same as them being present. So I guess our motto for the weekend will be, "Phones down - Horns up!"