Home: a place where your mom will cook the best meal you’ve had in months or a place where you can wake up in the morning and have a cup of coffee with your dad. A place where you can sit on the couch in your pajamas all day and no one will judge you. But most importantly, it’s a place where your heart feels the happiest just being surrounded by people who fill you up.

For me, when I think of the word home, I think of James Taylor playing on the stereo while sitting around a dinner table with my family, laughing until we cry. There isn’t anything that could make me happier than a moment like that. Those simple moments with people who I love are the ones that I cherish the most.

If you’re anything like me, being away from home leaves you feeling nostalgic. Just the words, “I’m home” bring me a sense of relief and joy.

In a recent conversation I had with a friend during an overwhelming week at school, this idea of “home” came up. She said something that stuck with me and really encouraged me. She said, “Kristi, don’t worry! Someone who loves you is waiting for you at home.”

Someone who loves you is waiting for you at home.

I have not heard a truer statement that brings so much peace.

So often we associate home with a physical building or place, but boy are we mistaken. What I’ve learned over the years is that home is not referring a physical place; it’s the people who keep your heart full and leave you longing for more; who love you despite the mistakes you make or the bad haircuts you have.

The coolest part about this is that we always have a place to call home.

Home is everywhere.

Think about who you find yourself most at home with; maybe the first five people that pop into your head. They may be all in different geographical locations, yet they fill you up and welcome you no matter what season of life you’re in.

If it’s not a physical location, we are able to find home in the hearts of others—the ones who are there welcoming us with open arms.

We often struggle with being away from people who we find “home” in, but the cool part is, they’re always waiting at the door for us upon our return. The same goes for our home in Heaven. God’s going to be standing there welcoming us with open arms. And who knows? Maybe He will be holding a big plate of warm, freshly-baked cookies (a girl can dream).

As the seasons change and time goes on, just remember that you will always have a place to call home. Even through the setbacks and speed bumps, find peace in knowing that someone who loves you will always be waiting at home… hopefully with a plate of freshly-baked cookies.