As my third semester at Ashland University comes to a close, I can finally say that I feel like I have a home outside of my tiny rural town.  

For much of my freshman year, I’d pack up my things every Friday afternoon and drive nearly two hours home to spend the weekend where I was most comfortable; my childhood home surrounded by family and friends I’ve known for as long as I can remember.  

Going home is not a bad thing necessarily, but by doing this I wasn’t allowing myself to grow in Ashland.  

This year, I’ve taken up responsibilities that require me to spend most weekends on campus, and I couldn’t be happier. At first, I definitely panicked knowing that I wouldn’t be able to go home every weekend and be with my family. But, as they always have, my family has been extremely supportive of me following my dreams. I know that whenever I need them, they’re a phone call or a short road trip away. The only issue I have with this is that my dogs haven’t learned how to pick up the phone yet.  

In Ashland I’ve found friends that feel like family, my love for writing has flourished, I’ve grown to know myself better and I’ve accepted that I can belong to more than one place.  

This semester has been my favorite one yet and I can’t wait for what’s to come.  

Until then, I’m looking forward to spending some much needed time off with my family, friends from home and my dogs, whose company I miss the most when I spend my evenings doing homework in my dorm without fuzzy friend on my lap.