I just wanted my sisters to know that they are beautiful.

Well, I went home for the first time in a month. I walked into the house really late (after going to a PSO concert of John Williams' pieces- fabulous!) on Saturday night and I could tell a few things were off. First of all, the house smelled of baked goods. The only time my house smells like baked things is if Marcia and my Daddy make cinnamon roles (which taste like little bites of heaven, by the way), or if Abbey is home and makes a million cookies for no reason at all. Both of these things were improbable because Marcia is in Columbus and Abbey is in Grand Rapids. I just kind of chalked it up to my parents doing some experimental baking. Then, I set my bags down and went over to the refrigerator to get some Fresca, which I was very excited about. When I opened the frig door I saw soy milk. Now, there is nothing at all wrong with soy milk. I actually really like it-- but this was the 2nd thing that had changed after being in my house for only 2 minutes. Baked goods and soy milk. Where was I? As I put the Fresca back after pouring myself a glass, I saw chocolate milk sitting on the shelf as well. Chocolate MILK? Who were these people? Had someone brain-washed my parents? This was not the same kitchen I remembered. I remember skim milk and whole milk, as a child but never, I mean, NEVER chocolate.
I don't know what it is about smells but for some reason certain smells bring back the most vivid memories. It truly is incredible. I walked downstairs to my basement and a memory came shooting back. It didn't smell like I remember my basement smelling. It smelled like Emily's parents house back in Greenville when they still lived a few blocks from the high school. All these memories of my childhood in that house came flooding back- the soft pretzel's Mrs. Taylor used to bring us, the movies we used to watch, the Buffalo Bills paraphernalia hanging on the walls, the backroom trundle bed and all of the sleepovers we had there. It made my heart very happy. So, Hi Mrs. Taylor- I miss you and hope we can see one another soon. Thanks for the amazing memories and being the best at all those little things you always did for us.

But it's okay that things are changing. It hit me that night, that I am going to grow up and nothing is going to stop it. I pray that the rest of my life was as wonderful as my childhood, because I have nothing but wonderful memories of it. So, things may change from time to time and my parents may start buying chocolate milk but I was blessed with such an amazing childhood that things can change as much as they want. I had my soft pretzels, my skim milk and my wonderful family. And all of those things make me smile.