By Mallory Schlabach, Editor in Chief
Face the Facts
After nearly four years at ACU, Abilene is home. It's the place where I've found a church, made lasting friendships and found a connection to the rural Texas town more than 1,300 miles from my home in Ohio.
People say home is where your heart is, and until this weekend, I didn't realize it was true. Although Abilene doesn't have the rolling green hills, fields of wheat harvested by Amish children or trees with leaves that change into a color besides brown, it is still a beautiful place.
The flatness of the area is something I am still getting used to, but I've come to appreciate it more on my drives outside of Abilene, when I can see acres and acres of flat land with cattle roaming about and mesquite trees crookedly growing every which way.
This city may not be the most colorful place to live, but it makes up for it with its inhabitants
For a town with thousands of students passing in and out, it couldn't be more welcoming. While students may try to forget the town they call boring once graduation rolls around, they can't forget the people.
Abilene residents welcome college students with open arms and invite them to fall in love with their community. Local churches invest time and money students and encourage them to participate in community events and get to know neighborhoods. Area restaurants cater to students and offer student discounts, of which many are wise to take advantage.
If you've been here four years and realize Abilene is growing on you, or if you just arrived in August and are not sure why you chose ACU's remote location, remember you're not alone. Many alumni from across the country and world will return to campus this weekend to relive memories, see old friends and visit Abilene, a home away from home.
Whether you realize it or not, this city has become a part of you because of the time, love and money spent during your stay here. Make an effort to appreciate Abilene while you can, so when you return for your Homecoming reunion in 20 years, we can say “welcome home.”
