Moving back to your hometown is an emotional journey. That's why we've partnered with Forever My Girl, in theaters on Jan. 19, to share exactly what you can expect when heading back to the town where you left your heart.
No matter how far you venture from home or the length of time you've been away, making the big move back often seems like a time warp. Everything has somehow remained the same, yet you've grown into someone new in the intervening years. If you're considering heading back to your roots, read on to discover what you can expect the second you set foot in town. From unexpected run-ins with your ex to falling in love with your favorite local joints for the second time, get ready to embrace the joys and quirks of your hometown!
1You'll Run Into the One That Got Away
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Just as Liam finds himself immediately drawn back into beloved local joints on his return, you'll quickly reclaim those retreats you loved in high school. You might spend a day or two mourning the loss of your favorite 24-hour deli or the boutique around the corner from your old apartment, but the comfort offered by restaurants and coffee shops you frequented as a kid will quickly wipe away all memory of other watering holes. Consider that frontier-themed bar you couldn't set foot in as a 16-year-old your official new stomping ground!
True friendships are easy to rekindle even after years of separation, and there's an excellent chance your BFFs have been eagerly awaiting your return. Break out the high school yearbook, open a pint of your favorite ice cream, and prepare to discuss everything you've missed over the years.
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4You'll Have a Full Closet — and Nothing to Wear
Whether you're moving from a cosmopolitan hub to a tiny country town or heading back to your metropolis from a sleepy suburb, your closet of "trendy" duds somehow never aligns with the style back home. It may be time to trade in those fierce leather pants you loved wearing to a bar for a pair of boyfriend jeans and a baseball cap — or set aside your beloved sneakers for a pair of heels.
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5You'll Find Yourself Imagining What Would Have Happened If You'd Never Left
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In the same way that Liam wonders what his life with Josie would have looked like had he decided to forgo a career in music, heading home after a long absence often begs the question, "What would my life look like if I'd never left?" Would you be running the family business, dating the next-door neighbor, and hosting weekly Sunday evening dinners for your family? It's completely natural to ask "What if?" and determine that your choices led to some incredible adventures.
Just like Liam's arrival causes a stir in his small, Southern town, news of your return will hit the social circuit and ignite excitement among your favorite locals. Prepare to regale your captive audience with stories of your time away and discover what exciting developments have occurred since you left.
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7You'll Fall Back Into High School Habits
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When you're spending time in your childhood home alongside your parents, it's surprisingly easy to revert to your old ways. Revisiting your youth can be refreshing — but stop short of stealing Mom's car keys for a joyride and shopping your parents' fridge for groceries you forgot to snap up at the store!
Whether you're an Oaklander who can't stop saying "hella" or a Charleston native who leans into "y'all," prepare for the native tongue that was dormant for years to come back in greater force than ever before.
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9You'll Finally Understand Why There's Nowhere Quite Like Home
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Despite Liam's interlude to pursue his passion for music, his return to his Southern roots is evidence of the one undeniable fact of moving home: there's no feeling like returning to the hometown you love filled with the people you adore. While you'll always appreciate the years you spent exploring the world, home provides a certain sense of comfort that other dwellings simply can't replicate.
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Watch the Trailer For Forever My Girl and See It in Theaters Jan. 19
Forever My Girl tells the story of country music superstar Liam Page (Alex Roe) who left his bride, Josie (Jessica Rothe), at the altar, choosing fame and fortune instead. However, Liam never got over Josie, his one true love, nor did he ever forget his Southern roots in the small community where he was born and raised. When he unexpectedly returns to his hometown for the funeral of his high school best friend, Liam is suddenly faced with the consequences of all that he left behind.