Being the kid of two OU alums meant growing up hearing about how much my parents miss Athens. They’ve always said it feels like coming home every time they visit. I believed them, but there is a limit to how much you can truly understand that feeling until you experience it yourself. I truly believe I came home the moment I stepped foot into Washington Hall on that cold Friday afternoon.

Whether it was because the COVID-19 pandemic took my first semester on campus away from me or all of the anticipation I had built up in my mind, it was as if something progressively released a weight off my shoulders as I settled more and more into being on campus. My classes were still entirely online, but getting to explore campus further amplified the clarity I felt when I committed to OU as a high school senior.

Getting to experience an OU Homecoming for the first time as a sophomore, I got to look around at all of my friends while walking in the parade with The Post and appreciate that this university brought us together. Coming out of a high school experience that, to put it lightly, could’ve sucked a lot less, I put a lot of my energy into hoping college would be different. Evidently, something in the universe put me in the right places at the right times and proved that the right people will find you exactly where you are in life.

I spent Homecoming last year with people who are now alums while personally refusing to give thought to anything other than the present moment. It was a day meant to appreciate my time with people I saw every single day before my current reality of wondering if I have enough time and money on my hands to visit my graduated best friends over winter break. It’s by no means a bad situation, but it’s certainly a reminder that I don’t know how far I’m going to have to travel to make it to Athens for Homecoming next year.

This year, I plan to spend Homecoming living it up with my friends for what is likely one of the last few OU traditions where all of us will be together. It’s still fall semester, so I predict it will be more sweet than bitter, but I’m not counting out the possibility of teary eyes and emotional hugs.

If I’ve learned anything throughout my time as a Bobcat, it’s that Athens will never really leave us because the memories made here are so special. This year, I plan to take Homecoming as a glaring reminder to listen to the voice in the back of my mind telling me to remember every great moment until May 4, 2024. Bobcats will always find a reason to come back to Athens, but we have to take advantage of every second we are here in order for all of our future Homecomings to be truly special.

Tate Raub is a senior studying journalism at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Want to talk more about it? Let Tate know by tweeting her @tatertot1310.