Home Again

There's truly no place like home. And no place like Charleston, South Carolina.

After being away for four years and now returning with a different prospective on life, love, and my own pursuit of happiness, I have found a better appreciation for this little city. For so many years growing up, I took for granted the beautiful cobblestone streets and charming historic buildings. I neglected the sharp and spirited nature of my fellow Charlestonians. I grew tired of going to the beach every day in the summer - poor me. I didn't try to immerse myself because I didn't want to settle. I wanted to get away. I got away. I moved to Auburn, Alabama to for college, and I found myself falling in love with my home town more and more every time I came back.

Friends at Auburn asked me, "Why did you come all the way over here if your from there."

I knew what they meant. Why would I want to leave what most perceived as a perfect place? I now realize that I had to leave to discover that my town, in fact, is just what I need.

I thought about transferring back home a few times during my time at Auburn. The first couple of years away from home were hard for me, going to a college in a small town with virtually nothing to do but drink, hike, or go to cheesy greek events. Auburn was a great home and one I'll cherish forever, but it always left me a little homesick for Charleston.

It wasn't really until I came home for the last time from Auburn that I realized I wanted to live here again. Maybe it was the awesome graphic design internship I had this summer at Nudge Studios based in the heart of East Bay street. Maybe it's the camaraderie that I'm finally seeing with friends from my high school (they actually all kinda like each other now). Maybe it's the fact that I've never felt more or an adult - back in my hometown with a chip on my shoulder and a salaried job to help me pay for my own rent, not at my parents' house!

Charleston embraced its arms around me like an old friend, letting me know everything was going to be ok. It let me know this is where I am supposed to be now. Not to say I will be here forever, but so far, I'm enjoying every minute. A wise man once said you can never go home, but he wasn't from Charleston.