I live in Connecticut, but this year I started college at the University of Maine which is a solid seven hours from the place I call home. Like many students, I wanted to go very far from home and that's what I did. However, I never imagined I would miss my home as much as I occasionally do. When thinking about picking my college I thought I might even dread coming home to spend time with my family and other things. So much changed from that time to right before I was going to leave.

Suddenly it was the end of August and I had a loving boyfriend of seven months and I had to stop and think, "Whoa, when did that happen?" Leaving for college kind of snuck up on me and suddenly I was in a more serious relationship, I had a summer job and I even got closer with my family.

I'll be honest, it wasn't easy by any means to leave. I mean I moved seven hours away from everyone I love, yes including my dog. But, it wasn't just the distance that led me here, along the way I fell in love with the school itself and I do not regret the decision. However, that does not making leaving any easier. I came home a few weeks ago for Thanksgiving break and it felt like I had to leave as soon as I got there, and that made leaving a lot harder.

Now, finals are around the corner and after that I get to go home to see my family and friends for a whole month, and honestly nothing has ever sound so good to me. Being so far away for much longer than I have been before, makes me realize how much I truly love the people around me. That's what distance and time does, it reminds you of how important your loved ones really are and I think that's very important to remember around the holiday season. While most of us may get wrapped up in the presents, the holidays are really a time to spend with the people you love the most and to show them how important they really are to you.

I can't wait to go home for Christmas to see everyone. Being in school for so long at a time makes seeing everyone so much better when I do see them. 'Tis the holiday season, let's all remember what the holidays are really about.