As nice as it is to go on vacation to “get away,” I am a firm believer that it is also important to go on vacation to reinforce relationships with the people who mean the most to you.

Weeks before Spring break started, I boasted around the office that I was going to spend a week in Las Vegas, which probably led my fellow Hornet staffers to believe I was going to come back $300 short, with a smoker’s voice and liver failure.Truth be told, my excitement for going to Vegas wasn’t derived from eagerness to drink my liver away or go to strip clubs; what it was really about was getting to experience that lost love-hate feeling with my older sister Priscilla, getting to pretend I was as hip as my 11-year-old niece who calls herself “swag,” and getting to show my family sides of me they don’t really know.

Some might call my obsession with visiting family crazy; especially since plane tickets are expensive and I supports myself completely; but I find occasional family visits great ways to rediscover myself while facing the “I don’t know who I am” experiences as a twenty-something college student.

The price of visiting felt especially worth it as I consistently woke up to the sound of eggs sizzling, the smell of homemade Masala chai tea, and the sight of my graceful sister with handmade art on the walls behind her.

As I have been on this journey as an independent adult for about four years now, not regularly seeing my family has left me no choice but to discover the person I am without them – which can be more confusing for some than for others – and to learn, grow, and establish myself as an individual.

Through establishing independence, though, I have greatly craved frequent visits from my siblings – no matter how far – because I believe they contribute to my growth as a human being.

As awkward as it can be to be bombarded with questions from my sister and young niece about marriage and children (which I brought upon myself for bringing my dear boyfriend on the trip), I have learned it’s a part of the growing process. It contributed to the personal family-visiting experience because it allowed me to share thoughts about my life I have not shared and (probably) helped my sister to perceive me more maturely. Don’t get me wrong, though, as much as I hope the weird immaturity follows us to the grave, it’s nice to be taken seriously on some things.

The beauty of keeping family around is that as much as we might change as individuals, they are there to watch the changes happen and accompany us on the road ahead; all while reminding us of what is rooted deep inside ourselves.

Some might deem being in Las Vegas for a week and visiting The Strip only once as wasteful; but when you can get your glitter and shine somewhere else, why bother?

Janice Daniels can be reached at [email protected]