For the two months that I lived in Chicago all I could do is fantasize about what my life would be like back in the area I grew up in. In my head there were visions of sugarplums dancing. Ha, not really. But I did think it was going to be all sunshine, rainbows and unicorns. And don’t get me wrong, it’s great. I love it and I haven’t ever been happier.
I am not the same girl I was when I left here at 18 to go away to college. Besides the obvious (I am 6 years older), I have many more life experiences. I view the world and relationships differently. So does everyone as they get older. But the difference is, my friends? They stayed here for college or came back right after college. It feels like we are on two different playing fields. In the same way the area has changed. Building have gone up and down, neighborhoods have developed, little kids are big kids and my life here at 24 is not the same as my life here at 18 was.
Time changes you and people and places you love. Sometimes for the better and sometimes for the worse. Moving back here a different person with a new outlook into a place that was once familiar is nice. It’s like falling in love with a place and myself all over again.
