As my return to my 1 bedroom, college apartment is quickly approaching, I know that soon I will be departing from my hometown once again.

Dear Hometown,

I am sorry out of the 18 years I was here full-time I always planned my escape from you. I took for granted all of the great memories you gave me and focused on the pain. Leaving you for college my freshman year, I came to realize that I was the problem and you were not. I was a girl with a shattered heart and thought leaving you would mend it. Now, I have learned that "you" are the one place in the world I can feel at home.

So, I am sorry I have to leave you once again. You are where my heart is and always will be. You have given me so many great memories through the years, you saw my first steps, my first kiss, my first heartbreak, and all my epic fails but also all my success. So thanks for allowing me to spend another great summer with you.

While I am gone this upcoming semester, I have a few requests for you. Take care of momma and let her days come easy and save her tears when I go back to college again. Make sure daddy knows I am still his little girl, and always will be. Also, take care of my rotten little brother, you got me through 13 years of schooling, and I know you can do the same for him.

Help all of those seniors in high school, get through graduation, and let them have a senior year that will forever run through their minds. Also for the love of God, get someone to fix all of those potholes, pretty much everywhere because when I return, I do not want to keep dodging them, but I know I probably will be anyways.

Take care of my elderly neighbors across the street because they deserve it, after all the time they have lived in this town.

Let my teachers of the past have awesome students and another great school year. The teachers you gave me were some of the most influential people in my life, and I cannot wait to see how many other great people come out of this town due to these teachers.

My last request for you, is to accept me back again and again, as I return on the weekend, and any breaks I get from school, I love you dearly, and the people you have put into my life as a result of living in this suburban area with so much love and great people.

Thanks for everything because I could never repay you for all that you have given me and will continue to in the future.

Sincerely,

Your Little Hometown Girl