A little known fact about me is that I love quotes and one of my favorites goes that “home isn’t a place, but a feeling. It’s where the people you love say your name.”
My first two years in college, Binghamton didn’t really feel like a home. Sure, I had friends. We were on intramural teams together, wasted our time playing video games and watched sports. We’d eat meals as a group and go out on weekends. I was having fun and college was a decent experience at that point, but something felt like it was missing. I didn’t feel like I truly belonged anywhere on campus and I considered my home to still be my parents’ house.
Then, I joined the Pipe Dream staff and I guess the rest is history because I found my place. I had a purpose and I fell in love with covering and writing about sports. Even though I complained, I secretly loved spending all of those late nights with some great new friends in our windowless office and I was filled with pride when I’d look at the paper and see my name on the masthead.
Don’t get me wrong, Pipe Dream wasn’t always great. Producing a newspaper is stressful, nerve-wracking, and can make a person really angry. But, it gave me way more than I ever could have imagined and that was because of the people I’ve met. A major part of my college experience became Pipe Dream, and I’ll remember covering Binghamton sports and editing articles, but most importantly, I’ll remember how thankful I was that I had the opportunity to meet such amazing people, who taught me so much about how to see the world and who I want to be as a person. So, I’m going to take the rest of this column to thank those who helped make my college experience everything I dreamed it would be and transform Binghamton into my home.
Alex and Carla — It feels like ages ago, but you were the first two who made me feel included in the office. I’ll forever be grateful.
Ari and Ashley — Thanks for teaching me and giving me an opportunity on staff. I hope I didn’t let you guys down.
Katie and Rina — So thankful that you guys decided to stage our friendship and talk about “Friday Night Lights” in front of me on wine tour. I couldn’t have gotten through these last two years without you.
Nick — Thanks for always pushing to get the best out of me, as a writer, an editor, and through our workouts.
Emma, Odeya, Mike and Sam — Texas Forever.
Connor, Adam, Adam, Matt, Brendan, Jeremy and Joe — Hopefully you guys will read this, it’ll probably be the first article of mine you’ve read. We’ve been through a lot together and come a long way.
Aleza — It took me forever to work up the nerve to tell you how I felt about you and I never would have imagined how everything has worked out. Without a doubt, meeting you was one of the greatest things that came out of joining Pipe Dream.
Orla, Jeff, Noah and Kyle — I’m proud of everything we accomplished this year as a sports section. I have complete faith that you guys will do even better.
Lastly, Mom, Dad and Rachel — I couldn’t have accomplished anything without you. Thanks for being my rock, always listening to me and telling me what I need to hear even when it’s difficult. But, most of all, thanks for being there for me regardless of the situation and teaching me what family is really all about. Love you.
E.Jay Zarett is a senior double-majoring in English and political science.