I remember the excitement I felt when I received the acceptance letter from the college of my choice. This was the moment that made the idea of leaving home seem so real to me and I couldn’t wait to take on the new adventure. I was finally going to have all the freedom I had ever wanted. I wouldn’t have a curfew anymore, I wouldn’t have chores and I wouldn’t have to answer to anyone other than myself. What doesn’t sound great about that? Being independent away from home isgreat, but there are so many unexpected things that come with it, and I’m going to tell you about just a handful of them.

1. Saying goodbye to your parents.

You thought this day would never come fast enough. You’ve been dying to leave home and not have to hear the words “as long as you’re under my roof you’ll follow my rules” anymore. Even though you’ve been waiting for this day, it’ll take an unexpected twist. When you say goodbye to your parents, they’ll cry and so will you as soon as you turn your back to them, because seeing them cry will break your heart. You don’t have to tell them, but, believe it or not, you’re going to miss them.

2. Saying goodbye to your pets.

You really don’t think about this one until the time to leave finally rolls around. I said you’ll cry when you leave your parents, but leaving your pets will probably be the hardest goodbye of all. Who else is going to snuggle up next to you to make you feel better when you’re sick or lay on your feet and keep them warm? But don’t worry, your fur babies will miss you too and will be anxiously waiting to greet you when you come home to visit!

3. You'll realize you took the fridge full of food at home for granted.

You always complained about not having anything good to eat. What you didn’t know at the time was that all you’d have in your fridge now is some milk and spoiled leftovers that you forgot you brought back two weeks ago. When you go home, you'll never say the words "we don't have any food" again.

4. Life at home goes on without you.

You’ll miss family birthday parties, your hometown’s first big football or basketball game and get-togethers with your friends who are still at home. You’re going to miss a lot of things while you’re away. However, your absence won’t stop those events from happening. Life at home goes on with or without you, and realizing that can be a little bit tough when you wish you could be there for it all.

5. You'll panic when you face your first big problem on your own.

You’re used to being able to go to mom and dad when you have a big problem, and they can usually fix it for you. Now you’re on your own and have to work through your own problems like an adult. It can be a little bit intimidating, but there’s no better feeling than conquering it on your own and realizing that you can handle whatever gets thrown at you.

6. You'll lose touch with friends at home.

When you don’t live at home anymore, it can be difficult to keep up with the friends you have there. Losing touch doesn't mean you don't love and care about each other anymore, it just means you're living your own separate lives like you should. You’ll get busy with life and go your separate ways, but no one says you can’t pick up where you left off whenever you visit home!

7. Certain things can only be found in your hometown.

Everyone has a favorite place in their hometown whether it be a small café, a mom-and-pop diner or your favorite back roads. Whatever that place is for you, you will realize that nothing can replace it. It’s a part of your hometown that you can’t take anywhere else with you and you'll miss it dearly.

8. You can't take your entire closet of clothes.

You only have a small wardrobe and about two or three average size drawers. You can take all of the clothes you own if you really feel the need to, but I promise you won’t be able to fit them all in the space you’re provided with. You better start picking your favorites now and sending what you don't need home with your family whenever they come to visit.

9. You'll miss it.

While leaving home is an exciting time of your life, you’re going to miss all of the small things that you never thought you would. You’ll realize how much you took for granted, but you’ll remember that so you don’t take your time in your new home for granted.

10. Home is wherever you decide it is.

When you hear the word home, you usually think of wherever you grew up or came from. When you come back to visit this place that came to mind, you’ll find yourself missing things about the place you moved away to. In this moment, home won’t feel so much like home anymore and you’ll realize that home is wherever your heart is. Home is not a place, but a feeling.