When told my freshman year of college was going to be cut short due to corona, I was upset. How was I supposed to leave the community, friends, and school I so recently fell in love with. However, there wasn't much room to argue, seeing as the whole world around me was facing the same pandemic. So, my roommate and I packed our bags and headed to our hometown.

It wasn't until a week into being moved back home, I came to a realization. This realization was that my friends from high school also had to move home too. I reached out to them, and things started to look up. With gathering sizes going from no bigger than 50 to no bigger than 10 within hours, I did some quick plannings to hang out out with my old pals.

I've been practicing social distancing by only meeting up with friends outside and staying a minimum of 6 feet from each person I'm around. Although the situation we're in isn't ideal, there are still positive things happening. I am so thankful that this time, which has allowed me to see all the people I grew up with. It's so great to see how everyone has grown in the few short months we got to be away from our hometown. Although we've grown apart during our time away, the conversation, laughter, and stories flow just as they did before we threw our graduation caps in the air.

I am so thankful for all the doors opened for me at Missouri State and can't wait to return in the Fall. However, a piece of my heart will always lie in Webb City because that's where my life started.