Feels Like Home To Me

On Thursday night, my step dad Chuck got to sneak in a quick visit to Astoria during his business trip. Prudential headquarters is located in Newark, so both of my parents are on the east coast often. Even though Penn station was closed for a few hours in NJ because of signal problems, Chuck rallied and made it to Queens around 11.

He was determined to see me because he had a surprise to give me- a new Maple Grove 2003 blanket! Everyone from my graduating class received a blanket our senior year, and I loved mine. I am a sucker for sentimental things like that, and was devastated when mine was stolen a few weeks ago at the laundromat. After crying to my mom over the phone, my family went to work to find me a new one. My step brother, Chad, and his wife both graduated with me in 2003, and he was gracious enough to give me his! So, Chuck surprised me with my new blanket. He also brought me a new cover for my mattress that will supposedly keep bed bugs away if they ever make it into my apartment. The city is invested with the disgusting little things, and my mom is now extremely bed bug paranoid. It was great to get to catch up with Chuck. And Boo was super excited to him, too!

After Chuck left, and almost every time after my parents leave my apartment during their visits, I think to myself how normal it feels to have them there. I imagine them leaving and traveling 20 minutes to their house for the night, instead of flying two and a half hours back to Minnesota. It feels so normal to have them in New York City, even though it is thousands of miles from their home. I feel the same way when I am in Tampa staying with my sister, brother in law, and nieces. From the time I get in their car at baggage claim, I instantly feel like I am at home.

I think there are places where people feel at home. After traveling, staying in hotels, and eating at restaurants for every meal, there is nothing better than finally arriving home and sleeping in your own bed. But even more importantly, I think there are people that make you feel at home. I feel comforted when I am with these people regardless of location. My parents, my siblings, my nieces, and my close friends make me feel at home no matter where we are. I am sad that I cannot be with all of these people all the time and that I can't jump on the subway and see them in 20 minutes. But, I am overjoyed that when I do get to see them, it feels like nothing has changed. We can always pick up right where we left off, regardless of how long we have been apart. I feel so lucky to have so many people in my life that make me feel at home.