With high school winding down, college suddenly becomes the topic of choice in almost every conversation. At one point, I actually considered tattooing "Belmont University" across my forehead so people would stop asking. But I didn't. You're welcome, Mom.

When people find out I'm packing up and shipping out to Nashville, 90 percent of people look at me sideways and after a long moment of silence they can only spit out one word: "Why?"

I normally brush it off and just leave it at "because I want to." The reality is, some people were born to run. A fire has burned in their soul since the day they were born. Voices in their head constantly tell them to pack up and leave. I am one of those people.

Some become extremely hostile and start preaching about how I have some of the best schools in the world in my backyard. I've heard it all before. To me, it's obvious those who don't understand have never seen the things I have.

They've never seen the beauty in New York City's corner of 49th and Avenue of the America's after the sun has gone down.

Or experienced chills down their spines as they walked the battlefields of Gettysburg and felt the eerie presence of fallen soldiers.

They've never pet a kangaroo.

Or worked a concert at the Grand Ole Opry...

Or stood at the edge of the Grand Canyon in complete awe of the artistry of nature. Only to be told that your family once lived on a reservation on the floor of the canyon.

My friends and family are trying to cope with the fact that once I see my hometown in the rear-view mirror, there's a good chance I will never turn around. There's a World beyond town lines that is ready to take me by the hand and show me the beauty of life. Ever since I was little I dreamed about it. I was born to explore. Born to dream. Born to run. Most importantly, just because I won't be in Chelmsford anymore, doesn't mean I'll forget the town that made me who I am. I hope that they don't forget me, either.