It’s 5 am and I’m frazzled while running through the Rome airport. I’m spilling scalding hot espresso, that took me 10 minutes and a comically good attempt at a substantial exchange in Italian, all over myself whilst searching for my gate. I’m abandoning all hope when I’m surprised by an energetic “OH-“. My natural reflex has me calling back “I-O” before I’m even registering the interaction. I look up to see a family of friendly faces wearing OSU apparel and then I realize that I’m wearing my favorite hoodie, an extremely oversized “Ohio State University” crewneck sweatshirt. And yes, I’m not a student at OSU, but my heart will always lie in Ohio no matter where I go.
I guess I never left home. After graduating from a high school in central Columbus, Ohio, I continued my education at Denison University, situated in beautiful Granville, Ohio, approximately 25 miles from Columbus. My love for the Buckeye State compelled me to stick around, and attending a university a short road trip from Columbus only strengthened my adoration and appreciation for it. The more time I spent away from Columbus, the more I explored each time I returned, and the more I grew fond of my hometown.
I’m thankful to have been raised a Buckeye. I’m thankful to have been born into….
The Saturday Morning Farmers Markets in Worthington, where I’ve gotten the opportunity to taste the smoothest honey to ever be.
The summertime Nationwide and Express Live! concerts in the heart of downtown Columbus that rocked my world and expanded my music taste.
The apple farms of Pataskala in the Fall, where I’ll never not attempt to climb the trees to reach the highest apple regardless of how many times I’m scolded for it.
The comforting buzz of OSU campus on Game Day, where if you’re not wearing scarlet and gray head to toe you would feel out of place.
The Olentangy Trail, where I’ve laid in the fields feeling nothing but absolute content after celebrating breaking record run time on Friday morning runs.
And lastly, I’m thankful to be able to call Ohio home; for being able to hear “O-H” at an airport on a different continent and still feel my heart flutter even when I’m 4,500 miles away.