I'm happy (thrilled, actually) to say I've never been homesick, and it's something I have never taken for granted. There were times when I wanted to be home; be in my own bed, be at the hole-in-the-wall restaurant down the street, or be on my couch with my best friends. When I count my blessings, this is high on the list, because I know some people aren't so lucky.

Along with all of the feelings of being away from home, I've received countless amounts of questions that I've written about in numerous papers along with other writing pieces, one of which addressing why I left home.

Recently I have started to let people believe what they want about why I left my beautiful hometown on the outskirts of Philadelphia. It's right in the hub of everything, and between the city with great shopping to the small towns with great food, I guess you can say I had it all. None of that mattered, not when you know your soul aches for something more.

Despite abandoning ship and leaving life as I knew it behind, I cherish my time in my cozy little town. Along with every college student, I count down the days to come home again while I'm at school, but I can assure you I'm in no true rush to get back again once I leave.

Sure, there's no place like home, but home is where the heart is, and mine just isn't in New Jersey anymore. It's taken me awhile, but after four long months, I have finally come to terms with the fact that feeling this way is perfectly okay. My heart belongs in Tuscaloosa, the small city with almost enough people to fill Bryant-Denny stadium. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I would fall in love with a place so much. Title Town has filled my heart to the brim and with each day it overflows a little more. I can truly say that nothing compares to it.

I talk about my new life as if it's some sort of fairytale, and for a girl who's dreamt of feeling this gratified for her entire life, it is. It's often times indescribable to people on the outside who haven't experienced it, and I find myself at a loss for words more times than not.

At the end of the day, I feel privileged to say I attend the University of Alabama. It has taught me more about myself in a few short months than New Jersey ever has. I know as I grow older I will experience new things in new places that will continue to amaze me, but for now, I am perfectly happy in the heart of Tuscaloosa.