To the Girl Moving Away From Home
I haven’t lived close to my hometown in 7 years. I grew up in Tennessee, went to college in Alabama, and am now living and working in Michigan. There’s so many things I wish I would’ve known before leaving…so here’s three things I wish I would have know before moving out of my hometown.
I wish I would’ve known that moving far from home meant something or someone would always be missing. When I’m in MI, I’m not anywhere near my family or roots because I grew up in TN…and when I’m in TN, I’m not anywhere near my community, the job I love, or the city I’ve made a life for myself in. It’s bittersweet.
I had no clue that I would form such a deep appreciation and love for where I came from. I’m always looking for reasons to go back (whereas before I was always DREAMING of the day I would graduate high-school so I could leave and never return lol).
I wish I would’ve known I could visit my tiny TN hometown for four days or four weeks and it would never feel like long enough (but would always be looking forward to going back to MI at the same time).
Leaving home to go back home doesn’t always get easier, but I’m so thankful to have three different places that I consider home. Grief and gratitude can co-exist.
As always, this is a piece of my heart. Consider it yours. 🦋