“Where are you from?” It’s a common question you’re bound to get asked at some point in your lifetime. You’re asked it your freshman year at college, you’re asked it the first day at your new job, and your asked it when you are off on vacation and meet someone new for the first time.
The question I now have for you is: What do you say?
As someone who moved away after I graduated from college it’s very tempting to want to call my new place “home.” The city has so much life, so much art and things to do and amazing food. It’s a city known for being a great place to live…but that’s the thing. It’s the place where I live-but it’s still not my home.
Growing up I almost felt like Belle in Beauty and the Beast. What else was out there? What more could I see and do? I wanted better food, fancier affairs, and more to see. I have that now, but I find myself more than ever missing my hometown.
With all that being said and done, I’ve mustered up 8 reasons as to why I still call my hometown home.
- Back roads
I’m telling you right now that I can get anywhere in my hometown in fifteen minutes or less, and I’ve never gotten a speeding ticket (in my hometown…) No “hoping” onto 285, 385, 485 or any interstate or highway period. Just knowing where I’m going and five different routes to get there. It’s that back road life, baby.
- Comfort Food
I’ve eaten beignets in New Orleans and pizza in New York and I’ve loved every scrumptious bite. But here’s the thing-there’s still nothing like the food you get when you are home. It’s the food of your childhood and the food you ate before prom and the food you ate with your best friends. It’s just simply food that brings you comfort. Like seriously, even the Chick-fil-A tastes better when I’m home.
- Memory Lane
There’s just something about being somewhere that holds memories for you. Your hometown is where you met your best friends, had your first kiss, your first heartbreak, and held Saturday yard sales with your friends when you were too lazy to get a job. (Guilty!) Every corner of town holds a special memory, and serves as one giant scrapbook.
- Familiar Faces
Yes, it’s exciting to meet new people and expand your horizons. However, I would be lying if I didn’t love going to a restaurant and running into people I know when I’m home. Everyone loves to feel like a big fish in a small pond every now and again.
- The Rumor Mill
We live in the south, gossip is inevitable and it’s so much more exciting hearing about what’s going on in your hometown rather than hearing about complete strangers. Not saying everything is about he said she said, but even the little changes throughout the town. For example, my hometown is getting a sushi restaurant downtown, FINALLY! Pretty sure that article had over 5,000 shares on Facebook.
- Family
If you are lucky like me, your family lived in your hometown before you were born and they still live there even after you’ve moved away. Having family somewhere ensures a connection to that place, and it’s always nice to have a place to stay when your home.
- Alma Mater
Okay so my hometown definitely isn’t a ‘College Town’, but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t a college in our town. I actually attended a private university that is nestled right by downtown. That means that I attended pre-school through my four years of college all within ten miles.
- Where the Heart Is
Through young love and family loss-your hometown is where your heart is. It’s where you conquer your fears and find your strength. It’s drenched in your tears and forever echoes with the laughter from your childhood. Your home is where you find yourself, and sometimes its good to be able to go back to that.
Traveling is what I love to do. I love seeing new places and meeting new people every chance I get. Overall, I’m glad that I moved out of my hometown. It’s what I needed to do for me in order to grow into the person I needed to be. Even with all that said-my hometown will always be the place that I am proud to call home.
Miles of Menus 