It’s not that I miss my hometown in the way that Miley Cyrus describes her hometown in “You’ll Always Find Your Way Back Home”. I never felt like I truly belonged there. What started off as feelings of insecurity grew into uncomfortableness in the very place that I grew up. I started dreaming of the day that I would finally get on a plane and leave the place. But now, I miss the farm on the street that I live on. I miss the quietness of town center with my favorite pizza and coffee place. I miss the backroads that I used to drive my car through everyday blasting music. I miss what I thought I never could miss.
Believe me I don’t miss stressing out about college applications or my next high school assignment. But I do miss my house and my cats, and the feeling of knowing everything. Moving to a big city like Seattle there is so much unknown. For living in a state for a whole 2 months, the only places I have been are a 30 minute radius from my college. The town names are unfamiliar and the chain restaurants are so different. Somehow there are no Dunkin Donuts anywhere in the entire state of Washington! Such a big adjustment takes time and while I do feel comfortable here, I am ready to have the comforts of my own home again.
Recently, I have looked back on my videos from my hometown and realized how many great memories I did make there. Despite it all, I found joy in so many parts of that town. I loved watching the sunset across the reservoir. I loved going to get ice cream at Dairy Queen with my best friend. I know as the world moves on, I am growing and changing. But it’s hard not to yearn for those old times. I never realized how much comfort my hometown had for me. Moving away from that there is just so much unknown. And there’s beauty in that too. That I can meet someone new here every single day. That I can explore a new neighborhood every weekend. There are so many more possibilities.
My hometown was a part of my life that I swear I would never miss. But I was wrong. There is something about your childhood bedroom that brings you peace of mind. That your favorite place to drive to will always bring you joy. And as the clock ticks closer to Thanksgiving Day, I am increasingly grateful that I get to fly home for the holiday. That I am able to return to my home, the quiet roads, and my life there, for just a few days.