After not being home for two months and not having a free weekend until Thanksgiving break to do so, I surprised my family this past weekend with a trip back home. I needed it more than I thought.

I decided I would go home five days before I did (10/14). I wanted it to be a surprise for everyone, but of course, at least one person needed to know, and I needed to know if this weekend would work out for my family back home.

I texted my step-dad, John, on Monday. He said that him and my mom weren’t doing anything that weekend, and that my brother had a home game. The perfect weekend!

I confirmed everything with my step-dad and told my roommate I’d be gone for the weekend.

Friday couldn’t come soon enough. I hadn’t been home for two months–the longest I’ve ever gone. I missed showering without shoes on, eating home-cooked food, seeing my dogs, and just walking around the house and doing anything and everything I couldn’t do. I missed all of it.

I packed everything I needed to bring home, I made a ‘groceries’ list, a list of what I wanted to do, and a list of what I needed to bring home (winter stuff, woo).

Friday came and that morning I went to get my car in the Hawk Lot, parked it in front of my dorm, and packed everything in before my last class of the day. When I made my schedule over the summer, I made sure that my last class on Friday ended early–2:20 isn’t as early as I’d like, but I get home before dark so I can’t complain.

I sprinted from AJB to Daum and was off. I texted John that I’d be home around 6:30, and I was expecting meatloaf (my first home-cooked meal request).

Turns out, four hours is a lot longer of a drive than you think, especially when you’re alone. It was a struggle, but I listened to Old Disney and Old Miley Cyrus–a good way to past time.

When I was 20 minutes away and passing through Fulton–the town my brother’s school is in–I decided on a whim that I’d track my brother’s location and surprise him. He was at the soccer field about to start practice. He was on the field with two other guys passing the ball, so I decided it was appropriate if I surprised him then (had he been in the middle of practice, of course I wouldn’t have).

I parked my car, got out, and yelled “Hey Rich!” (his name is Sam but we call each other “Rich”). Heres how the conversation went with one of the guys he was passing with:

Who’s that?

My sister.

Why is she here?

I don’t know?

He ran over and we hugged and what a surprise it was… we briefly talked and then I left. He’d be home after practice at eight.

I continued on my way.

You don’t think you’re homesick until you’re driving down roads you used to everyday. Until you drive past the road you used to take to get to school everyday. I crossed the bridge over the river and felt happiness. It was a weird feeling. I started to feel so happy.

Side story:

My mom surprised me with a much-needed visit on October 7th. I was having a rough week and she was what I needed. She texted me a photo of my dog, Tinkerbell, in front of my dorm. I sprinted out my room to her.

I wanted to surprise her in the same way, so I called John and told him that I was about three minutes from home and to be sure she had her phone with her.

I drove up the big hill to get into my neighborhood and turned left onto my street. Gosh, it felt so good to be back.

I pulled into my driveway and laughed to myself at the sight of the skeleton decoration in our front yard.

“Here,” I texted John.

Then I sent a picture of our house in a group chat with my mom, John, and Sam.

Two minutes passed and I sent another.

Then John came out and told me to just come in HA! So it didn’t go as planned… but… her reaction was golden:

insert video here i tried to do it but it wouldn’t work … suggestions?

We ate meatloaf at the table, together as a family again.

I snuggled with my dogs every chance I got.

I surprised my neighbors.

We watched a movie together two nights in a row like we used to.

I deep-cleaned the house.

We made pumpkin bread.

My brother and I carved pumpkins and set out decorations like we have every year.

We went on a walk at night around the neighborhood.

I ate breakfast with my grandparents and we talked each other’s ears off.

I visited with my Aunt and Uncle.

I showered without shoes on.

I ate home-cooked food.

I did all the things I wanted to do while at home.

And I did anything and everything I could.

Needless to say, my short trip back home was much needed. Two months went by two slow, and those three days went by too quick.

Now, the countdown to Thanksgiving break begins.