As I wait at a length Fort Wayne, IN red traffic light, I will more at home than usually. I couldn't figure out what it was immediately. Then, I finally recognized what it was. The vehicle ahead of me, a black Nissan Maxima, had a Rhode Island license plate. I don't know if the Maxima or the beautifully simple plate reminded me of home more. It is very rare to see such plates around this part of the country.
During the first English class of my freshmen year at UConn, the young teacher assistant asked the young and energetic class a couple of questions: "What makes home your home? When you introduce yourself to someone, where do you say you're from?" As a naive Freshman, that has never lived anywhere else but the 401, I thought it was a dumb question.
Almost five years later, I am pondering the same exact questions as the young English TA did, as he must have been the same age I am currently. I'm in that confused stage of being from Cranston, RI or Fort Wayne, IN. It's not as easily determined as the government thinks (What's on my license, where my mail goes). I have been in Fort Wayne so almost a year now but I've lived in RI for over 18 years. Of course, Storrs, CT (especially ITE and Gampel Pavilion) will always be home for me too. In the various locations, I have grown tremendously as a person and have met lifelong friends so I couldn't possibly rank them in importance. It would of course depend on the person asking too. During casual conversation, I would probably say "I'm from a town right next to Providence, RI but I went to UConn". But if I were having a conversation with an out-of-stater or a stranger, I would say I'm a Fort Wayne Hoosier. But as a whole I would consider myself a Rhode Island UConn Hoosier but isn't it where we've been that's makes all of different?
It's great to call several different places home, where I can find comfort and be reminded of great memories. So I ask you: What makes home your home? And when you introduce yourself, where do you way you're from?
While you respond by leaving a comment, here's some music about one of my homes!: