Where the heart is

I had no idea what the small town nestled between "the trees high branches" and "whispering southern breeze" would offer me.  I was terrified to go to college but look at me now.

The town itself is great.  Where else can you actually eat chicken battered and fried and on a stick?  Oh but it's more than that.  It's Hotty Toddy in the Grove, William Faulkner history, my beautiful white house, Bottle Tree, the Square, long walks all over town, swimming in the Phi Mu fountain, walking to class in the pouring rain, amazing concerts, rocking in rocking chairs on the front porch, sweet tea, Newk's, the Library (not the one with books), staying out all night, formals, talking until you fall asleep, and on and on.

While these things will always be fond memories it will be the people that I will take with me.  All of my adventures were with my friends, all my hurt was with my friends, all my joy was with my friends, I shared everything with my friends.

While these are only a few of the sweet faces I love so much, it was these people who changed me for the better and made me who I am today.  I've been sad this summer knowing that come August, Oxford won't be my home.  These people won't be coming to St. Louis with me.  It is sad.

But this is what I've come to realize: it doesn't matter if we all end up in a different city, it doesn't matter that some of us are taking new last names, it doesn't matter if we have big girl (or boy) jobs. Because in "our" place we grew up together, loved together, learned together, cried together, laughed together, and just plain lived together.   

They are all a part of me.  I will take them wherever I go.  It's my memories. 

They are my heart.