For centuries, this word has found a way into most conversations we have with others, especially when we are talking about ourselves: home. Whether we're going home, excited to go home, leaving home, feeling at home, missing home--home is always lingering in a sense, whether we want to admit it or not. But in what way? Everyone's home is different, may that be location, feel, concept.
However, the thing is, home is no exact place. We are so quick to label the place where we reside as 'home', but what about when we go to college? I feel very at home at college. Although my actual house where my family lives also happens to be minutes from campus and my dorm, I call both my house and my dorm, 'home'.
So what constitutes a 'home'?
By definition, home (noun) means, "the place where one lives permanently, especially as a member of a family or household." So yes, I guess that constitutes both places to be my 'home'. But that's in a literal sense. Because for me, 'home' is so much more. 'Home' is seeing my friends after a long break, 'home' is watching my favorite TV show, 'home' is grabbing dinner with my sister.
In a literal sense, I do in fact have two 'homes'. But from a more figurative perspective, I have many more. Which reminds me of one of my favorite quotes:
"Sometimes home isn't four walls, it's two eyes and a heartbeat..."
Often, we forget that 'home' can be more than a place, a feeling, a concept; 'home' can just as easily be a person, or even multiple people.
"...or maybe home is just two arms wrapped around you when you're at your worst."
For me, there are lots of people who are 'home' to me. My college friends, my room mate, my high school friends, my parents, my sister, my co-workers, my dog. But hey, that's just me. They've seen me accomplish things, they've seen me at my absolute best--but they've also seen me make mistakes, they've seen just about everything. That's why I asked some friends what they think 'home' is. Here's what they said:
"Um idk why"
Nick Reit, Muhlenberg College
"Wait is this for a blog post because then I'll actually think of something good"
Nick Reit, Muhlenberg College
"Home is the actual city I live in. Home is the place I brag about living to my friends, mostly because of the memories it's given me. The best part about the physical sense of home is that it never changes."
Lizzie Machi, The University of Dayton
"A place of comfort. A place where I feel welcomed."
Allison Childs, Missouri State University
"Home is when and where you can sit with other people in silence and still feel like you belong."
Alex Klar, University of Miami
"Home is a place of love and happiness. It's a place where you can live for an extended period of time, a place you learn to grow within, a place that you love dearly. Home is being surrounded by people that give you the greatest memories and offer you the most love."
Abby Hutchinson, Xavier University
"Home is where the people I love most are. Or wherever my dog is."
Jake Zelinski, Marquette University
"I would say I feel most at home when I'm with my whole family. Home is the friends who want to be with you because of who you are. Home is being with people who make you feel like you can be yourself."
Chris Steimle, University of Wisconsin-Madison
I could go on and on, asking everyone I know, but I won't. The point is, 'home' doesn't have just one definition. Because everyone's definition is different, everyone's home is different. That's what makes home so special, that's what makes 'home', home.
