Whenever you start to feel awkward or don’t feel like walking alone, what do you do? Call your mom and dad of course.

This one goes out to two people who have single-handedly saved me from eating alone in the dining hall and talking to me while I walk to class, so I don’t seem like a complete loner.

Even if it's just for a few minutes, it’s nice to know that there are two designated people who will always be there to pick up the phone. Whether it’s just telling them how you did on an exam or asking about what they had for dinner last night.

Nothing you say would classify as a waste of a call because they are your parents. They are forced to listen. It’s their job. (Sorry, but thank you!)

These simple, short-lived phone calls make all the difference. They make us feel like a part of your daily life, even if we aren’t physically there.

But then, there are times when you call and neither of them answer. It wouldn’t be so bad if one of them hadn’t just called us five minutes ago and just when we get the chance to call back, they decide not to answer. Yes. Great. Love that. Thank you.

Then we end up in a game of phone tag and the conversation lasts especially long, and it can’t end with a quick, “walking into the building, talk to you later.”

Oh, no. Instead, we begin to miss sitting at the table while they are cooking dinner or just sitting on the couch talking about plans for the weekend. We miss actually being with them rather than holding a cold phone to our ear that is absorbing the oils from our face, which makes us have to clean it afterward.

And we will admit it, we start to miss you a little more than we already did.

So basically, the message here is: always pick up when I need you, so the conversation can remain short and I don’t have to think about missing you guys.

Thankfully, you guys almost always answer. I am at ease walking to class knowing that we can talk for a few minutes while saving me the embarrassment of walking alone in a crowd of people next to friends. Thank you, mom and dad, for always answering.

SEE ALSO: 23 Things You Call Your Mom For In College

For always asking me about my day when I had talked to you less than 12 hours ago (“So what’s going on?” “Dad, nothing has significantly changed in the past few hours, just stay on the phone until I get back to my dorm.”).

For always asking me what I’m eating for dinner (“Yes, Mom, I know your chicken cutlets are better…can you send me some?”).

For always asking me how my roommates are (convinced mom misses hearing about high school drama and desperately wants the inside scoop, but little does she know she’s the first we would call if we had anything to share).

Most importantly, for always telling me to have a great day and that you love me.