Nostalgia.

{First of all, being home is about the biggest boost for my mood that I could have asked for.}

Secondly, I have been feeling very nostalgic lately.

I miss a lot of things and a lot of people.

Top of the list:

My old house and the memories attached to it that made childhood and Erie in general so special, especially this girl right here.

From the first day we met until the day my family moved, Maranda and I spent every day together. I actually remember the first time we met, haha- She had chalk on her nose and I didn't like her at all. Probably because she just moved in and was a threat to my reign as the only girl in the neighborhood. But obviously, I warmed up to her. Thank God. We were literally sisters, except for the being related part.

I don't talk about those times very often. The process of moving and trying to make yourself fit into a whole new environment doesn't leave much time for keeping in touch. Also, no one can really appreciate it except the two of us. We gave it a valiant effort the first few years, but recently not so much. I think it's easy to forget that Erie was a real chunk of my life, that it's a big part of who I am... it's not just some dream I had. I get so excited whenever I meet someone who lives there, has visited, or has any connection or affiliation with the city whatsoever. Those memories are precious and hearing about the place they were formed brings it all to the forefront of my memory.

To be honest, I'm glad we left when we did. From what I hear, the area where we lived kind of went under, along with a majority of the kids I grew up with. Also, if we stayed, that glorified image of the adventures and innocence of childhood would have been lost. I'm so grateful that I can still hold on to that.

It's sacred, really.

A few girls who I went to school with have found me on Facebook. It's crazy. Sometimes I feel like I'm the only one who remembers the old days and my old friends, but apparently they remember me too. Makes me feel good. I wish I could find every member of the old gang (I have a few). That's what we were- a gang. A pack of kids who ran rampant. The Kings and Queens of Stafford Avenue. No lie, there were about 20 of us within a two block radius, but Stafford was the nucleus of the whole network. I wouldn't change a thing.

Ah, if only we could go back.

Harrisburg has had it's perks though, I must admit. 

Greatest friends I could have ever imagined. 

Love, love, love.

<3