home is where I left it

I left so that I could come home. I didn't know what "home" was until I felt its sun on my face and felt my smile cracking the corners of my mouth. Grin so wide I could eat the whole city. I've walked around this past week and a half saying, "my city, my city." It finally is. This is home.

I love meeting people who have never been here so I can show them around. Take them to my favorite eating spots, favorite tree-climbing spots, H.P. Lovecraft's grave, favorite bike shop, hangouts, and everywhere I run into people I know. This is new to me. It has taken over 4 years to reach this point. I love where I live.
I love Providence's quirks and confusion. The one way streets and unmarked roads. I love the potholes and the attitudes. I went away to find what I thought I wanted, only to realize I'd actually left it all behind. So I am home now. Home with the dirty streets and cracked pavement. Narrow lanes, aggressive drivers, noise bands, metal parties, marching bands, bad fashion, ivy league snobs, hipsters, kickball, dog parks, broken swings, staring kids, and so many things I resented before are now beloved to me. Is this universal? Will this last?