As much as I think I’m an adult sometimes, there’s something so comforting about going home to my parents’ house that makes me feel like I’m seven years old again. A couple of years ago, my parents moved from the house I grew up in to a new city and a new house. Even though it’s a different house in a completely different city with different friends and a new church, it still feels like home. Here are some of the things I’m thankful for about going home.

The smell of laundry. Even though I’ve been living on my own and doing my own laundry for eight years, I’ve never been able to achieve that perfectly comforting smell that my clothes have when my mom does my laundry. Being the incredibly organized and industrious woman she is, my mom did two loads of laundry every day throughout my entire childhood. Our house always smelled fresh and clean – like laundry. As soon as I walk into my parents’ house, I catch a whiff of warm, fresh, laundry-filled air, and it’s one of my favorite smells ever.

Sleep. When I stay with my parents, I sleep better than normal. I’m not sure if it’s due to the great trails I run around my parents’ house, the ability to let go of my normal life, the comfortable bed, or the feeling of being completely safe in my parents’ house, but it’s glorious. At home, I’m usually up before 7:00 AM, even on the weekends. But, when I’m staying with my parents I’ve been known to sleep well past mid-morning. It’s a great feeling to wake up completely refreshed and relaxed, feeling like I got a full night of restful sleep.

Pajamas. Every Christmas, my mom buys matching pajamas for herself and me. I love coming home from our Christmas Eve service, opening my first Christmas gift (knowing exactly what’s inside), and running upstairs to change into my jammies before we finish opening presents. She always washes them before she wraps them, so they smell like really yummy laundry and not like department store. This year, I bought a new pair of pajamas just to wear home for Thanksgiving and to wear as comic relief while we’re setting up the tree.

What are you thankful for today?