The other day I surprised myself.
My friend and I were talking about our favorite things and he asked, "What's your favorite dinner?"
I promptly respnded with my answer I always give. "Roast, mashed potatoes and gravy, steamed vegetables, fruit salad... " but at this point my throat gave a little quiver. "... a-a-and h-homemade rolls." Then I realized it. All the way to my very core, and apparently my stomach too, I miss home. I miss Tennessee.
I miss rolling hills and cows. I miss the smell of freshly cut grass and the way that all the trees bloom in spring. I miss thunderstorms and yes, even the humidity. I miss being able to take walks past endless fields and old barns. I miss Victor the Volvo and I even miss driving in the traffic on 31!
But most of all, I miss my family. I remembered how mom makes delicious meals almost every night and how dad comes home and then all the kids run to the door to give him a hug. I miss the smell of our house when all the windows are open in the spring time and when Claire makes something new in the kitchen. I miss the sound of Jordan chasing Cade and Claire around the house, usually screaming at the top of their lungs. I miss laughing my throat hoarse at dinner time when Ben makes some ridiculous comment that usually has nothing to do with dinner. I miss my big windows in my room and I miss my purple walls. I miss having family movie nights when it's always Dad's first time seeing something but all the kids have seen it a million times so everyone's screaming, "I LOVE this part... Ahhhh this is the scary part!" I miss talking to Claire when we're getting ready for bed, usually about boys and how silly they are. I miss going to grandma's house and drinking all the punch and sneaking all the leftover rolls and the chocolate covered peanuts in that one glass bowl. I miss family time.
I remember being "SO glad to get out of Tennessee!!!!" at the beginning of freshman year, and I totally was, but you know what? Nothing can replace family.
I sure love them, and I know they love me.
Just a little more than a month and I'll be sitting at that kitchen table with my 6 best friends in the whole world and eating those delicious homemade rolls and choking because I laughed at something Ben said. Can't wait.
Love y'all!
