To the freshman coming into college and leaving home for the first time, take a long drive around your hometown. Go to all of your favorite local places with your family and friends, enjoy the town that has helped mold and shape you for the past 18 years and don't take advantage of all the little things it has to offer. I know some would call me crazy for wanting to do that and some say, "I just want to get out and never come back"; however, once you get to college and are on your own for a good couple of months, you'll start to miss the little things about where you came from.

When I was in high school, the only thing that me and my friends were concerned with was getting out of our small town in south Georgia so we could go our separate ways to the colleges of our choice for the next four years to obtain the degree that we had always dreamed of. When it came time for all of us to go our separate ways, some fled our town and only return on holidays or breaks, while others of us stayed at the local community college. Unfortunately, I was one of the ones who remained at home and went to school literally a block up the road from my house. Looking back it was probably the best decision I ever made. I had one extra year at home to spend with my family and some of my friends, and I also had one extra year to enjoy all of the small things that my hometown offered.

I remember when I got my acceptance letter to transfer colleges and I was more than ecstatic because I had gotten my ticket out; however, it was followed by several mixed emotions and the reality that I was actually moving away from the place I call home. After moving two hours away to a town where I barely knew anyone, reality hit real hard. I quickly realized that I was not in little Dublin, Georgia anymore where everyone knew me and my family. I was able to establish myself in my new college town and gain some friends; however, everything always led straight back to Dublin. Yes, I have the time of my life living in this small college town in southwest Georgia and I have fallen in love with it and the people, but it is not my hometown.

When you go off to college and go back home, you realize that everything has changed. Stores that were open the whole time you were growing up are now closing their doors, new businesses are opening up and the school where you spent the majority of your childhood and teenage years has severely changed to the point where it's not like it used to be when you were there. When you go and come as you please and notice all of the changes, there comes a point when you begin to worry about your hometown, and you realize that just because you aren't there anymore, it doesn't stay frozen until the next time you come back.

This summer I was in yet another new, small town for an internship and I realized that as I grow up, I realize how much I miss my hometown when I'm away from it for long periods of time -- I miss the people, the community feel, the food and the local businesses. I miss the friendliness, the love shown to me by everyone and even the routine of living in a small town. Dublin will never be what it used to be for me when I was growing up and I wish I could have the 19 years I spent there back instead of all the changes made to it today. I want my hometown back. However, I know that when I am done growing and I am ready to settle down and start a family, it will be the first and only place I would want to raise a family.

So before you're quick to say that you "hate this place" or "I'm just ready to get out of this hell hole," rethink your words and decisions. Yes, I'm grateful that I was able to broaden my horizons in a college town and several other small towns along the way; however, at the end of the day, I will always want my hometown back. It's where I was born and it's where I will die. I love Dublin and all of its glory and goodness. Erin Go Braugh!!!

In His Love,

Catelyn