Leaving home always proves to be difficult for me. In the 22 years of my life, I have only been away from home for the equivalent of one school year.

As I am writing this, I am in the room of the home I grew up in on the last full day I’ll have here for a while.

By the time I finish this, school will have been in session for a week and I’ll be back in Murray, in a room where new memories will be formed.

It’s such a bittersweet feeling, leaving home. I can’t wait to get back to Murray and see all the people I haven’t seen over the last three months. I can’t wait to be on my own again. But I’ll miss things about home, too. I’ll miss my puppy and of course my parents and my friends from home, because these are the people who have shaped me into who I am today.

It was my parents who were persistent with Friday night pizza dinners with our neighborhood friends, where anything from Neil Young to Hootie and the Blowfish and everything inbetween would play through the speakers.

My father originally sparked my interest in music and still does. All the artists we listened to when I was younger I still listen to today. He’s also impacted my taste in music by introducing me to bands such as Monsters of Folk

My friend Jamie influenced my record collection. A few years back I would be at her apartment and the first thing we would do was put on a record. My vinyl collection is nearing 200 while my wallet is quickly depleting, thanks to her.

It was my friend Ashley’s love for acting and movies that made my movie collection grow and grow. From the classics like “Singing in the Rain” or “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” to the hours we spent together watching “Hairspray,” I think she’s influenced my taste in movies more than she’s realized.

My mother encouraged me to read and, in turn, developed my love for books. I can still remember the first book I bought, “Ginger Pye” by Eleanor Estes. She has introduced me to some of my favorite authors such as Jodi Picoult as well as one of my favorite books, “I’m with the Band.”

My best friend Alex fed my unhealthy obsession for television. It seems like every summer there’s a new show we watch together. A few years ago it was, “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” then it was “The O.C.,” then it was “Friday Night Lights;” the list goes on and on. This summer we accomplished the feat of rewatching the entire series of “Gilmore Girls” (yes, we love television so much we rewatch shows too).

My sister Amanda helped me to develop my love for fashion. While she seems to think I steal not only her clothes but her style as well, I like to think I take it and make it my own. But I must admit before things like patterns, shoes and dresses interested me, I had no sense of fashion. Don’t even get me started on shoes, they’re my weakness.

Everyone likes to think they are an individual, like there’s no one else like them. But, when you break it down, you start to see that the most important people in your life are the ones that will continue to influence you for years to come.