What defines the word “home?” According to merriam-webster.com, home is a place (such as a house or apartment) where a person lives or a family living together in one building, house, etc. To me, home is wherever my family and friends are. Although corny, home is definitely where the heart is.

Think about this. You have lived in the same house for your whole life; you can’t imagine living anywhere else. Then one day when you and your family are out of town, your house catches fire from a sudden gas leak. Everything is gone. Your clothes, your old photos; everything. But you still have your family, don’t you? You still have the living, breathing human beings that you lived in that house with, right? And as time goes on, you realize you’ve been home all along, because they are your home.

The definition of home may mean one thing to some, but have countless meanings to others. To me, home is where my family is. Home is hugging my mom or joking with my dad. Home is fighting with my two older sisters while secretly loving every minute of it. Home is my dog running all over the house, shedding and leaving hair in the process. Home is where I’m most happy, most comfortable, and most myself.

Recently, I’ve noticed myself calling college “home.” And that’s okay. Home can be talking and laughing with my roommates, while sharing meals and clothes. Home can be making instant mac&cheese and watching Netflix with your new friends. Home can also be reuniting with those from high school, sharing stories and re-living old memories. Home can be anything you want it to be.

You don’t have to think of home as just one place. In Philip Philips hit song, “Home,” it hits everyone's soft spot, making you thankful for the concept of a home. The meaning of the song is to make people see that we all, on some deep level, believe in the power of ‘home.’ When Philips says “I’m going to make this place your home” it brings back all of the warm and happy memories we’ve had. The aspect of home can be whatever you want it to be. Whether it’s on your childhood block, the comfort of your families hugs, or the college-dorm life; you’ll always have that aspect of home wherever you go.