To the place I call home,

Although I may have not necessarily appreciated you when I had you, being in college has changed our relationship for the better. Despite years of being unable to hide from the unfortunate middle school awkward stage, the embarrassing moments I may never be able to live down, and the all-seeing eyes of a small community, I have grown into a place where I’ve come to not only admire you, but can look back on the years past with fond memories and endearment.

Even from a young age, I knew you were special. From elementary school picnics and Halloween parades with all of my friends, life living here was pretty great. Knowing every girl and crushing on every boy in my first grade class was all I could ever ask for at age six. Sharing playdates with my friends in the parks we’ve been going to since before we knew how to crawl. Riding our bikes to school down the street- the cutest seven-year-old version of a biker gang you could ever imagine. Playing hide-and-go-seek in the dark when really, the goal was to be found as fast as possible to avoid being alone behind a bush in the dark (where the monsters are, of course). Finally being old enough for our moms to drop us off at the movies to see it “alone," when really she was sitting a few rows back.

Moving to middle school and trying to figure out how to convince my parents to buy me every Abercrombie graphic tee known to man, just to fit in (and the perfume so you never stop smelling like the real deal). Walking down Main Street with my family, passing familiar faces, to get dinner at the place we’ve eaten four-thousand-and-one times before, with the owner whose known me since the day I was born. Knowing my best friend’s parents almost as well as my own. Living at my best friend’s house, eating all her food, etc.

Moving on to High School but still feeling comfortable because, yeah, a new school, but same people. Same comfortable people. Having new adventures, testing new limits, and sometimes failing (more grounding then I would like to admit). Being able to make lasting relationships with my teachers because, of course, they were also my neighbors and family friends. Being supported by the entire community that time I tried to be an environmental conservationist, no matter how ridiculous and dramatic my efforts were. Attending my senior prom with people who where there when I dressed up for my 3^rd grade princess party, there purely for the purpose of making me feel pretty in my obscenely bright prom dress. Graduating five minutes from the place where I learned to ride a bike with the people who were there to laugh at me when I fell the first few times, then help me up. And leaving for the most exciting four years of my life, still not knowing what I was about to miss.

Now, although I may have somewhat outgrown you, you will forever hold an important place in my heart. The memories I made in my small hometown and the people I have met will be a piece of me for as long as I live. I will always be comforted by the familiar faces of the people I’ve met here that know me almost as well as I know myself. And I will always, no matter where I go, be able to call my small town my home.

Sincerely and Always,

Me.