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There and Back Again

Friday, May 25, 2012


I never really got attached to Charlottesville because, while here, I constantly reminded myself that it was simply a temporary home for us. It was just another stop on our nomadic path to a one-day life of permanent, domestic bliss. Stay a year, move along.

So, when people were snobby or things didn't go smoothly for me, I said, "Whatever, that's just Charlottesville." The restaurants were good. It was nice to be able to walk wherever I wanted. But it never felt like the city in which I lived. Rob was a student, and I was almost a tourist; his live-in girlfriend, along for the ride.


I surprised myself on Thursday when I started feeling sad on my walk to get some coffee. Rob and I were only in town long enough to spend the night, pack a few things, and get brunch with some friends before heading to DC. It was early and it had rained all night, so the ground was damp and the air was cool. I would miss this place, I realized. I walked out the door and took a few steps before turning back for a scarf. The streets were quiet. The walk from apartment to coffee shop felt final.

I love Charlottesville, and I love my friends here, but I hadn't planned to feel bad about moving away.

I got to Para and ordered a latte, chatted with the barista, and took a seat at the bar to write a couple things down in a notebook. "Alright," I thought a few minutes later, "time for me to get back home." Home. I use the word loosely, and then I confuse myself with my many homes.

I walked back to the apartment, feeling a little down. There were things to pack, and the weekend would begin with Rob catching a flight to the other side of the world. But then I walked into our bedroom and crawled into the familiar arms of my still sleeping and scruffy-faced boyriend, and I felt at home, realizing that the great restaurants and that library and the coffee shop with homemade pistachio milk certainly help, but in the end, it doesn't matter if it's Charlottesville or Charlotte or Roanoke or China, because home is about who you find when you get there.

19 comments:

  1. Hi Megan you have a very charming blog here! I'm stopping by from the Networking Blog Hop...I am your newest follower! I would love if you would check out my blog and if you like what you see please follow back :)
    ~Yesenia

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  2. Home is where your heart is.
    beautiful post! :) xx

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  3. i absolutely ADORE this post. that last paragraph, with "home is about who you find when you get there." just perfect. you're definitely a talented writer!

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  4. Couldn't agree more with the last part - home is definitely about who you're with rather than the place itself. xx

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  5. I love this post...when I started reading I wasn't sure where you were going with it and then in the end you totally surprised me. That's so sweet and so true. have a good weekend

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  6. Another tearing up at work post girl. all your posts about home/moving bring tears to my eyes since I'm in the same boat.

    Love this post!

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  7. Home is where my husband is! The place doesn't matter the people do!

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  8. You're such a literary dreamboat. I rather fancied this post! Me is a glad you is happy and me is liking your style! X

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  9. Fact. All so, so very true. That song by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros became my little anthem with James because HOME really "is wherever I'm with you..." I'm glad we'll be there to rally around you while Rob is in China.

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  10. I've only recently found your blog-so not sure where you are moving too-but yes-moving is tough-even if you WANT to go.

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  11. and now i cry. i love your writing. and the moral of this post.

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  12. That was really beautiful. You're an excellent writer and I love your pictures. Just discovered your blog, and I'm excited to read more!

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  13. Beautifully said! Have a great holiday weekend!

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  14. Oh! I've been meaning to ask you. How do you feel about the new Disney princess, Meridea?

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  15. Not only is this just a lovely post, it really got me thinking about all the places, the likely and unlikely, that end up being called "home".

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  16. Wait. I missed this part. I knew you were moving. To DC you say?

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  17. Also - just ended up on You Tube watching trailers and interviews on this new Disney Princess, Merida (thanks for the heads up, Patty). I'm definitely intrigued to see how this turns out.

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  18. I love Para! My fiance is from Charlottesville and he doesn't like it at all, but I think it has its charms. And I agree with your eloquent sentiments, no matter where you're living (Andrew and I have lived many places), you're always home where you're loved.

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  19. Awww this tugged on my heartstrings! I grew up in Charlottesville and it still feels like home to me. My friend's restaurant (The Backyard) is right across from Para Coffee! I visit every few years but not often enough. It is such a special little place!

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