Almost Home was written shortly after I moved away for graduate school in August 2025. The move marked an important step forward in my journey, but it also meant leaving behind my home state and support system. The title carries a double meaning: it reflects both the emotional sense of being almost at home in a new place that hasn’t yet become familiar, and the physical experience of driving back toward home, when familiar landmarks stir memories and connect you with past versions of yourself—reminders of where you came from. I wanted the piece to sound hopeful, capturing the excitement of new beginnings, yet still carry a sense of heartache that comes with change and distance from home.