For many, the word homecoming has only one meaning: party. Collegiate and high school aged kids come together within their community to celebrate being the best of the best and proving it to anyone who doubts them through activities and events like football, spirit week, and drinking. But to those who are fortunate enough to experience the word in a completely different light, the word homecoming exemplifies the meaning of family. Below are the different aspects of Homecoming and what they would mean to someone on both sides of the spectrum.
1. Togetherness.
Homecoming is about togetherness. For the typical high school or college kid, you're coming together within your community. You put aside your differences and unspoken, cliquey rivalries to bond as one whole student body. For the courageous men and women serving day in and day out, togetherness (from the military Homecoming stance) is literally and figuratively feeling the completeness of being a family. The embraces, the cries; they are out of pure love and relief to be back in each other's arms.
2. Dances.
Homecoming is a time to dance. On one hand we have skin tight, shiny dresses, strobe lights, and punch in a cafeteria full of underage, under the influence teenagers trying to be more mature than they actually are. On the other hand, we have second first dances shared between spouses and waltzes shared between mother and son, or father and daughter in the family living room.
3. Drinking.
Homecoming is a time to drink in celebration. You could celebrate for being the best school on the Earth. You could also be celebrating as veterans reunite with their families. For them, it’s the first time in a long time they’ve been able to share a beer with their brother, son, or father; a glass of wine with their sister, daughter, or mother; in celebration of finally making it home safely.
4. Spirit Week.
Homecoming is a time to be spiritual. I don’t mean spiritual as in connecting with the Holy Ghost. I mean spiritual as in having a great, positive attitude. I remember how big of a deal it was in high school to go all out for the theme of the day. College spirit week is more about attending everything great your school has to offer and Share-It Nights. But on the other side of the word Homecoming, the spirits are high and filled with excitement of being able to hug and kiss and share tears with best friends for as long as possible, at every moment possible.
5. Football.
To the collegiate and high school populations, homecoming is generally associated as the biggest football game of the year. Everything is on the line. If they don’t win, the rest of the semester is over. To the brave men and women in the military and their families, that football game may be the first they get to watch sitting side by side. It’s a few hours where the only thing on the line for our heroes are whether or not they want an extra pretzel from the concession stands.
6. Defense.
Homecoming is about defense. Defending your hometown, your turf. But the defense is dropped as soon as that last whistle blows, as soon as that plane touches down. You jump up from your seat with so much excitement and enthusiasm: rushing the field, rushing towards your family and friends. All guard is down once true victory as been achieved
7. Comfort.
There is comfort in knowing you’ve won the title, or that you’re dress is truly one of a kind and you look great on what feels like one of the most important nights of the year. There is comfort in knowing you’re safe and not just dreaming about the hugs from your loved ones.
8. Surprises.
There’s usually someone crying. There’s almost always someone hugging. It doesn't matter what side you're on, the military end is the best and this is possibly one of the greatest moments captured on film.
I don’t understand the feelings of being able to stand on the side of a tarmac or in an airport, eagerly watching and waiting for my loved one to step off of that plane and run back into my arms, but there are so many videos and montages of these experiences that are powerful enough to move a grown man to tears. They make me tear up just thinking about them and how truly amazing those moments must have felt.
This Homecoming, think about being reunited with the ones we care the most about in this world after they have been through hell and back fighting for our freedom. Think about what it must feel like to be on the other side of the word Homecoming in between all the partying, eating hot dogs, and shotgunning beer.
