1) The comfort of driving through your home city

On your way back to your house, you get the chance to pass all of the local spots you hung out at throughout high school. You pass by your favorite coffee shops and restaurants, see them look almost exactly how you left them, and know that you’re back where you belong.

2) The first big hug moment with your parents

There might be some happy tears involved too, but home wouldn’t be complete without a warm, long hug from your family after they see you for the first time in months.

3) Your dog aggressively and lovingly jumping on you

Though it might be overwhelming, the feeling of being reunited with your favorite furry friend is easily the best part of going home. You’re flooded with kisses and cuddles, and honestly, would you want it any other way?

4) The taste of home cooked meals

It’s a hundred times better than dining hall food, or eating out, or scrambling something up very quickly on a busy night, and its some good quality home cooked food. You forget how much you missed your mom’s best recipe, until you enjoy it, once again, for the first time in forever.

5) Laundry that you don’t have to do yourself

Lets face it, we all let our bag of dirty laundry pile up so we can bring it home. We enjoy the break we get from doing our own laundry, because mom is ever so willing after not having to do it for months at a time. We also hope that the beauty of clean clothing lasts for a long time after we get back to school.

6) Not needing shower shoes

A wise man once said, “home is where the shower shoes aren’t.”

7) The warmth and comfort of your own bed

Though my dorm bed has become my new favorite place, I’ll always love not needing a step stool to get into my comfy bed at home.