Tifton, you will always be home.

For 20 years I lived in sweet little Tifton. It was the kind of place where you could just cross into the county line and felt the pace of life slow down. I always looked forward going home in college, because it meant little cell service, slow pace and friendly faces. You do not realize how much different other places are until you move.

Tifton was the place.

Oh man, how I love that town. Everyone knew everyone. Blue Devil spirit ran deep and no question what you were doing on a Friday night. The sound of the train was calming and the smell of farm animals was normal.

Tifton was home.

When I went to college, people would ask where are you from. See that is not easy to answer, when no one has really heard of Tifton. But, "The Reading Capital of the World" was the place to be.

Tifton was unique.

Tifton taught me to love. Tifton taught me to drive. Tifton taught me to read. Tifton taught me how to make friends. Tifton taught me.

For the first time, calling "Home" is not a 229 number.

Instead, "Home" is where family is. Home is now an hour down the road. Home is now where I can see my parents more frequent and include them in my life here. Home is now where we can all gather and eat mom's cooking on a weekend. Home is family.

All 6 of us gathered at Mom and Dad's new place to help unpack. All 6 of us now live within 2 hours of each other.

Tifton will never be forgotten. But home, is now a little closer.

But, 2409 will always be special to our family.