Home (n): the place where one lives permanently, especially as a member of a family or household.

I have been away at school now for three years. At the end of each school year I become very upset knowing that I have to leave this place for three months. Three months in the big scheme of things is nothing, it goes by in the blink of an eye. Summer is said to be the best time of year when you can do so much and explore.

School for me has always been something I look forward to. I go to school a few weeks early for soccer pre-season, to be with 20 other girls playing the sport we love. I then move in with some of my best friends and enjoy the time I spend with them. Throughout the year I study and work and maintain the friendships I have. I always meet new people and create so many lasting memories that I cherish. Something about being at school, in the little city I love, is so rewarding.

Being only 45 minutes away from my childhood home is always nice, but living at school and being in the atmosphere of campus and friends, at times, takes precedence. I often find myself in my college town to go running or to go out to dinner. I make plans with friends who I don't see often in my little college town. I stop by campus in my free time just because I want to. I always find myself traveling here for reasons that could easily be accomplished by my childhood home. For some reason, I can't stay away from this place.

I have pondered about this long and hard to figure out why I have such an attachment to this place. I have done so much within these city limits that I can't even start to begin to pick out my favorite memory. I have made the best of friends here and met people that I know I will always be close with. I have accomplished so many personal goals that I can't help but smile when I think about it. I have grown so much here into the adult and soon to be professional that I want to become. I even notice the minuscule details of the local parks and downtown area, which never seize to amaze me with their beauty. The residents of this town are nothing but the most kind and respectful people. I can never seem to pick out something wrong or something I dislike about going to school here.

For me, I have two homes: my childhood home and my school. My school has a special place in many people's hearts and is something that they will forever love.