home.

photo taken in a coffeeshop in Delaware, OH

the definition of home shifts over the span of one's life. it's usually a house in the same community with the same people. some of us can't wait to get out and some of us stay rooted in that place.

i went to college when i graduated from high school. i loved my home town, but never moved back "home" permanently. i went to college, made some amazing friends, loved my life and have moved several time since.

but no matter how many years pass and how many ups and downs occur, there is still a nostalgic gloss that encases my Original Home (let's acronym it "OH"). although i now live in Virginia, my OH is Ohio (mostly the whole state since my favorites span from corner to corner).

i got to spend time this week with allllll of the friends and family (most of them, not all) who make this place home. time with them, their families, and their kids was incredible. i'm going to go out on a limb and say that my friends have something in common: they've married really wonderful people and are doing a fantastic job at raising their kiddos. i'm not just saying that - they truly are all exceptional humans and i love them. i'm biased, i know...

so, thank you home for always welcoming me. for always letting me sink into your Ohio-ness; with your midwestern charm, your vast farm lands, your smells and sights and sounds and simplicity.

(p.s. - in addition to Written Permission and Metacognitive Musings, i also was able to see Quiet Oasis, Aimless Oasis AND Running Chatter! whoa - what a successful blog-friend-seeing trip)