Home.

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"Erin, I think you love home too much."

Could that really be it? I've spent all this time trying to tell people I'm not that girl, but I think I totally am.

After a conversation with my second mom, Debbie, everything really became clear for me. We had just been talking about the anxiety I was having about going back to school. You might think I'm being dramatic, but I literally had a panic attack the day before. I'm talking full-on hyperventilating, can't breathe panic attack people. And it was all about returning to one of my favorite places. So what gives?

I think Debbie was right. It's not that I don't love Concordia, because I do. It's not that I don't like the people at Concordia, because they totally rock. It's not even the classes... Well maybe a little. But I think the hardest thing for me as that I've become so accustomed to living at home again, that I just can't bear the thought of leaving. Even as I sit here, basically packed, I'm dreading getting in that car and driving the 250 miles back to Moorhead.

The truth is, I am that girl. I love my hometown and everyone in it. I love having my family in a 10 mile radius. I love driving down the street and knowing everyone I see. I know a lot of people disagree with me on this, but Princeton is an awesome place. My friends make fun of me for loving it so much and wanting to live here when I grow up but honestly, why wouldn't I? I'm comfortable here. I know I need to get out and see the world before I decide to spend the rest of my life here. I realize that, but I know I'll make my way back someday.

Even though I've done it before, it's hard for me to imagine not having my mom around to give me a hug when I need it the most. Or my dad to joke around with. Or my brother to have a serious conversation with. Or my grandma's french toast. We don't learn to truly appreciate that kind of stuff until it's not right in front of us. And after experiencing it once already, I know I'll be fine, but at times it gets hard.

And when it gets hard, at least I know I have a place to come back to. Home. Even if people make fun of me for loving it so much, I wouldn't have it any other way. Because you need somewhere to call home.

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