Everything I should’ve warned my parents about before Family Weekend

Dear Mom and Dad,

Parents weekend has come and gone, which means I’m already a month into my second year at JMU. It feels so good to be back in my happy place! I could use funny stories and wild memories to describe my college experience to you, but nothing can do life here justice unless you were experiencing it yourself. But, because we only ever have this one weekend together, I thought I’d give you a little insight on my current college life.

I’ve been taking care of my body

Ok so I’m a little clumsy at school and there’s no way to rationalize how I tripped on a rock while tailgating, but you do know I was always a klutz and you taught me how to tough it out.

I’ve been eating healthy

I walked like 10 blocks downtown just to eat three food groups at once. It’s all about a balanced diet and exercise!

I’ve been trying new things

Like riding in the back of a pickup truck for the first time!

And I spend a lot of time outside

When I’m supposed to be in class! Lol whoops.

I keep in touch with my friends from back home

And clearly I miss them a lot

I’ve also been getting cultured

Basically Ireland.

And I couldn’t have done any of it without my friends

A few of them may have crashed our Facetimes and some have taken my phone mid phone-call to you just to say “Hi!” But what I want you to know about these people is that these are some of the greatest people I’ve ever met. They may have been the reason why I rode in the back that pickup truck at 3am and they may have been the reason why I spent an extra 10 minutes lying out on the quad and have been a little late to class. And the more I think about it they did convince me to get that pizza in the middle of the night. But putting the fun aside, they stay in the library with me until 2am to study for big tests and they bake cookies and watch movies with me when I’m having a bad day. When it all comes down to it, they are my support system and they are my rocks. These are my future bridesmaids and life-long friends. When I come back to JMU no matter how long or short the break, I know where my home away from home is, and adore the people I come back to. I want you to trust that I am surrounded by wonderful people who look out for me and make me feel confident and comfortable while I’m away from home, my friends make me happy here.

But lastly, I miss you more than anything in the world and I’m so excited to see you this weekend!

Don’t freak out.  Side note: my grades are good, I study a lot, I went to the gym today, ate a salad for dinner, and am writing this article from the library at 1am in the morning.

Love you!