For what I would call the majority of my formidable years, I have absolutely hated this city I live in. It has literally become an obsession of mine. Leaving Indianapolis wasn't even enough, I felt like I had to leave behind the whole state of Indiana. And so it is thanks to this crazy obsession that I turned down a full-ride to Indiana University and opted to fork out tens of thousands a year for tuition at the University of Michigan. But as the day of my departure from this loathed state comes nearer I feel like this was all just false hype.
Now don't get me wrong,I am super excited for Michigan and I cannot wait until school starts. But I was one of those thousands of teenagers who honestly believed they lived in the most boring place in the world, but I don't feel like I'm leaving that behind. Indianapolis may not be the biggest city, nor are its suburbs the most hoppin', but it offers a lot to be missed. I can't believe I'm just now realizing this.
Memories are memories. I can make new ones when I go better places. And people are just people, there are billions of us. I'm sure I can find people I connect with on similar levels as I do with the best of friends. Right? I thought so, but now...maybe I just didn't see the impact this place really had on me.
At the beginning of September I will be leaving Indianapolis for the longest time in my life but I won't just be leaving the world's most boring city behind. Any new meaningful moments I experience will be possible thanks to those I formed here in Indy. My Indy friends helped to make me the person my new college friends will meet, and that really gives this place a lot more value than I would like to admit. Every bad boss and stupid job I will deal with will be that much easier thanks to the crazy antics of the GFS staff at the store down the street where I have spent most of my high school years working. So many first time adult experiences were in this city and I just can't ignore that. My first drive was here, and (all too shortly after) my first time getting pulled over. My first glass of champagne. The first and second time I found out my dad lost his job, putting us into a tough situation financially.
I wanted to move on and never think of this place again. But I can't do that. As hard as I may try, I owe everything I am to the situations this city has gotten me into , and I'm not leaving that, no mother how far I go, or for how long I'm gone. Indy you've been kind of like that lame friend that all the cool kids you're trying to be friends with tell you you should get rid of, but you keep them even closer because you know how well they know you and you know they'll always be there for you. I guess it's time to retun the favor. I won't be forgetting you, nor all this shit you've carried me through. Thanks for being real Indianapolis.
