Going off to college, I didn't expect to look back and miss my hometown as much as I have. Now, two years into my college career, I still find myself getting homesick every once in a while. I have realized that living in the same city my entire life is a privilege and that being said, I have so many reasons to thank my hometown.
Dear Hometown,
Thank you for giving me and my family a place to call home. Nineteen birthdays, summers, and holidays later, the memories of what you've given me are forever. Here, I learned and created traditions with my family that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I know what it means to call a place 'home,' and I have my family and you to thank for that.
Thank you for instilling me with a sense of pride. I have found so much love for my city, especially since leaving for school. The suburbs of Baltimore County are filled with overall Maryland pride unlike any other place that I've traveled. When someone asks where I'm from, I love being able to say Baltimore.
Thank you for introducing me to my best friends. I feel very fortunate to still have my hometown best friends by my side. I'm not talking about a "let's grab lunch and catch up" kind of friendship. Going into my junior year of college, I look forward to coming home each summer and winter break. Not only am I able to spend that time with my family, but I know that reuniting with my high school friends means picking up exactly where we left off.
Thank you for setting a standard. Living in you, my hometown, set a pretty high standard on where and how I plan to live when I have a family of my own. You're just a few hours to the beach, lake, or mountain, only minutes into the city, have great schools, tons of opportunities for employment, internships, and generally friendly people. I thank you for giving me a lengthy set of guidelines that I hope to fulfill when I move off on my own (it's not going to be easy).
Thank you for being boring at times. Upon arriving at college and swapping high school stories, I was grateful for my experiences. I didn't go to a high school that offered tailgating and Friday night football games where the entire town was in attendance. As much as I longed for those types of events, I look back and realize that my friends and I had the most fun on nights when there was nothing going on. I have you to thank for teaching me how to make my own fun.
Thank you for giving me something to miss. As the wise words of Winnie the Pooh go, "How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard." Leaving for school after each break is bittersweet. As great as it is to have found a new home at college, you will forever hold my heart, you are my home, and have my fondest memories, which are irreplaceable.
Hometown, you rock, and I'm glad to call you home.
Love,
Gab
