As an elementary schooler, I always felt really sad when I had to come back to school from Christmas break because the holidays are such a blissful time of year. Over the rest of my school years, my reluctance on returning to school lessened as I got older. Now that I go to Longwood University, coming back feels like going from one home to another.
I am lucky enough to not live as far away from my college as some of my fellow classmates. In fact, I still remember Farmville as a familiar place where my momma and I would pop up to once in a while to go to the movies. I know the way to get from where I live to good old Farmville like the back of my hand. This causes my return from school to be another trip to a town I am so accustomed to. Only these days, I stay and readjust to living my college life day by day when I come back.
Over my Christmas break, I definitely achieved some much-needed rest that I desperately yearned for by the end of my first semester. I helped my momma bake different cookies and scones in our new home while we were busy binge-watching "Riverdale" and "Stranger Things." I even met up with one of my college friends who lives in the same county as I do.
During the last few days of break, I could hear other people like Momma accidentally saying that going back was like taking me home. I simply laughed and shrugged since Longwood is like home for me. It was kind of funny because I was peaceful and happy at home, and I felt so calm at the idea of returning to school at the same time. I think when I make memories in a specific area, the idea of leaving doesn't frighten or sadden me because if I feel close to something or someone, I never feel like I am leaving anything behind. I just feel that I am taking the parts I cherish in my memories wherever I go.
People like to say that home is where the heart is, and technically they are not wrong. For me, home is laughing with my friends at Longwood over the silliest thing that a human could laugh about. Home is catching up with my momma about both of our daily school stories and cuddling up to watch old movies and British shows. Home cannot be defined as one location for me. Coming back from Christmas break has shown me that I have roots in multiple places with multiple people, and this makes me feel nothing but content.