On homecoming

In a matter of hours, Ben and I will be on the road to Harrisonburg, Virginia for homecoming weekend at James Madison University. I wasn't able to go last year, and I've been looking forward to this for months now.

The inherent meaning of homecoming, at least to me, is that I'm returning to a place that is a home I've left behind. I've written many, many times about how much that mountain town means to me — it's no secret I consider Harrisonburg a home. But the other thing about homecoming is it serves as a reminder that my role in the town is different than it used to be. I'm no longer a student living, working and learning in the community. I'm a visitor returning to a place dear to my heart, seeing what's changed and what's remained the same.

I know that makes me sound jaded — I'm not, at all. I just remember how it felt to visit when Ben was still living there. It's not necessarily bad or good, it's just different. It's bittersweet, I guess. I get rushes of joy visiting the co-op and Black Sheep Coffee and my favorite stores downtown — like I'm stepping into my past. But then when I step onto campus, it's a different feeling. I'm reminded of my time as a student, but I'm fully aware that being a student there is no longer part of my identity.

Tomorrow, I'm spending a good part of the day participating in SMAD Day. It's a career prep day of sorts that the School of Media Arts & Design (SMAD) hosts every year to connect students with alumni, and it serves to help students prepare to start their careers. Two years ago, I went to SMAD Day events as a student. I took business cards and I talked to alumni that seemed to be so sure of where they were in life. I had no idea what I'd end up doing then. Now, the roles have reversed and boy is it weird.

All that said, I'm so excited to be there. I'm as nostalgic as it gets and I can't wait to be fully immersed in it all. If anything, at least I'll have some of my alumni friends there with me, so I won't be the only one thinking about how much things have changed since we walked down the quad with full backpacks and starry eyes.