There’s no place like home.

Growing up, my mom always said, “There’s no place like home,” and I never really understood the full meaning of that phrase until much later in life. As a kid, I just thought of home as, well, home–where I lived, where I slept, and where I did my homework. But my mom created something much more than that. She made our house a safe haven, a place filled with warmth, love, and security. No matter how chaotic or stressful school life could get, I always knew I had a cozy, welcoming place to come back to at the end of the day.

Actually, coming home from school was always a highlight. There was always a healthy snack waiting for me–her homemade cinnamon bread, in particular, was my absolute favorite. The smell of it baking in the kitchen was something that would instantly calm me down after a hectic day. After snack time, we had our routine. Homework was done at the dining table, but it was never a stressful time. My mom had this incredible ability to keep the environment focused yet relaxed. There was structure in the way things were done, but also a sense of freedom to enjoy the little moments. 

The evenings at home were even better. Family TV nights became a tradition–just a simple time to gather together, unwind, and laugh. Even in the midst of our busy lives, my mom made sure that we spent family time together. Looking back, I can see how she instilled in me the idea that home isn’t just where you live, but where you feel safe, loved, and accepted. “There’s no place like home” wasn’t just a saying in our house–it was the foundation of everything she built for us. And I’m so grateful for it.