We all get to that point where when we’re off on our own, we start referring to where we live as “home” versus our other home, our original home, that of our parents. I started saying it on accident in college, although home of parents was still much more my home than it is today.
A couple of years ago my parents moved into a new house. I lived in it for about 2 months after I had left college, before I came out to DC. Although when I go to Cincinnati to visit my parents, I call it home, I also continue to say “when I get back home,” and am then referring to DC.
Can there be two homes? It’s an interesting thing to think about. Home is where the heart is, you live in a house/apartment/boat/cardboard box, but it’s not home, etc, etc. Now after living on my own for 2 years, I no longer feel guilty when I refer to DC as “home” to my parents, because I really do feel I can have two homes. Here are the differences:
My Home in DC:
-cozy apartment all to my self
-my computer
-my bathroom has all the stuff I need in it, not just some stuff
-my snacks in the kitchen
-all of my books & decor
-all of my stuff
-my pillow
-my life
My Home in Ohio:
-my parents & my dogs
-Dad’s coffee
-parents’ food
-a better mattress
-bigger TV/more movies
-marathon TV sessions (L&O, NCIS, Band of Brothers)
-great backyard
-Graeter’s ice cream
-some old personal things to keep it feeling “homey”
-room to do a puzzle on the dining room table
It’s not a competition by any means. Each has its own pros, cons, and quirks. And of course, at home, I have family, and here, I’m alone. As much as I love being out here on my own, there’s nothing like going home a few times a year and just reverting back to childhood for a couple of days (without the early bedtimes).
What does home mean to you?
Jenna Sauber 