During your college years, it’s easy to get caught up in so many responsibilities that you forget to keep up with your family. For those with toxic families this can be a relief. For those of us who depend on our family for emotional stability, not so much.

For me, my parents are my rock. They have taught me all of the most valuable lessons and skills that I use as an adult. During my freshman and sophomore year, I was more focused on my social life at Iona than making sure my parents were okay. In reality, they were suffering my absence as the “nest” was empty of their one baby chick.

When we suffered a sudden loss in the family during my sophomore year, I realized how much better I felt with my parents and family. I could be me unapologetically. In retrospect, I know that I distanced myself from my parents because I knew how hard it would be for me emotionally to be reminded every day of the fact that I wasn’t with the most important people in my life. I realize now how silly that might sound. This isn’t to say that my parents and I have a perfect relationship, no one does. It’s hard for us to remember that our parents are humans as well and their defects are just as acceptable as ours.

I treasure the moments when I can sit down and watch a Hallmark movie with my mom (even if the acting is bad) or my dad and I do a simple coffee run. Being with them and remembering that I won’t have them forever is a sobering fact, one that pushes me to give them a call and ask how they’re doing. If you haven’t spoken to your parents or your family in a bit, this is your sign to ring them up and tell them that you love them.