Last week was one of those weeks that seem to start on Monday and end next year. A bad grade on a paper, too many long nights with not enough sleep, and to top it all off, an exploding sink that managed to ruin the carpet in my room and leave remnants of everything that had been washed down the drain in the last four years were splashed on the walls. All these factors didn't do much for my mood.

Things were not looking too hot on Friday. But by the time Sunday evening rolled around, everything looked a little brighter. I still needed to rewrite the paper, I still don't have a carpet in my room and midterms are still going to prevent me from catching up on my sleep.

A visit from Mom and Dad made everything better. Anyone who knows me knows that a visit from the McV's, or Mommy and Daddy McVoy, always promises good times, especially on a football weekend.

Who else has parents who play cups, go to bars and throw tailgates that last until after the game is over? But the fact that I once again got to see that my mom has better flipping skills than my dad wasn't what cleared my worries away and set me at ease.

Two and a half years ago when I left home to come to Saint Mary's student, I couldn't wait to leave, to get out on my own. At 18 I was pretty convinced that I knew it all. I had the world all figured out and I could manage without my mom reading over my papers and my dad running out to get me Papa Joe's subs when I'd missed dinner because of rehearsal. I was a grownup.

I didn't really need my parents to be my parents anymore. Right?

Wrong.

Last week I really missed my mom reading my papers. I needed some reassurance from home that even though my paper wasn't up to snuff, I didn't need to rethink my entire life plan and start filling out applications for McDonalds. After not sleeping all week, I could have used someone to run out and get me take-out so that I didn't have to leave the comfort of my couch and blanket. Also, one of my dad's bad jokes would have really fit the bill when the sink exploded.

I've learned a lot more than just philosophy during the time I've been at Saint Mary's. I've learned that there's just not enough time every day to call home and say "hi." I've learned that no matter how hard they try, my friends just can't make me feel as important as my parents do.

I've learned that a picture can go a long way in reminding you that someone loves you, but a hug does a good deal more. Sunday morning when Mom and Dad left to go home, nothing sounded quite so nice as going with them. There was a lot on my plate for this week and I didn't want to deal with it all on my own. But they had to go and I had to stay and get work done.

After they left, I went back up to my room and things were OK. I can handle everything that needs to get done, and I could do it on my own. But the only reason I could handle it on my own is because I knew that they knew I could do it. Knowing that they're there and that they believe in me is enough to get me through my difficult days.

• Parents' support is monumental