I always dreamed of moving in with friends — but at 28, I've only ever lived with my parents

I feel so lucky that living at home has brought me closer to my parents.

Emma Ruben

When I was 16, living with my parents was a drag. It felt like they always wanted to know where I was going, when I was coming home, and who I was going out with.I dreamed of the day I would move into a house with my friends. Shows like "The Bold Type" and "Girls" had me fantasizing about living in a tiny apartment in New York, hanging out on the couch, and ordering pizza for dinner.I always thought one day, I would inevitably find myself in the right circumstances where I would move out with some friends or housemates — but at 28, I'm still living at home.The older I got, the more apparent it became to me that I liked living with my family, and I didn't feel a rush to leave. Now, I'm preparing to move into a new house with my soon-to-be husband, and I'll never get to live that girlhood dream. I have no regrets about how things shook out, though.I've been able to save money and learn invaluable life skills

There are pros and cons to living at home.

Emma Ruben