Holidays in Downtown Wabash: Home is where the heart is

I never meant to move back to my hometown. I said the famous lines that most kids say at graduation, “I’ll never move back to this small town.” I left Wabash, Indiana at 18-years-old and headed straight for city life. Chicago was calling me! I packed up my bags and said goodbyes to my friends, family, and this small town, but waved hello to Lincoln Park, Chicago! 

Fast forward about 20 years and my story is very different. If you had asked my parents or even myself, we all thought I would never be back but only to visit! My college days in the big city were good to me and Chicago still has a huge place in my heart. I have many beautiful memories of the city and am grateful for all the experiences that season of life afforded me! 

However, my family and my connections in Wabash drew me back home.

For the last 15 years, I have made this area my home in this new season of life. It is no longer regarded as my ‘parents’’ home but mine.

I now have a husband of 14 years and two beautiful children who are eight and five-years-old. The Wabash Community, collided with family, friends and coworkers has forever changed and shaped my life. This town has so much to offer: from arts and culture and family-fun events; to date nights on the town and the ability to expand and grow professionally. There isn’t a part of this town that I don’t have a special memory associated with. 

Now, in the holiday season of Downtown Wabash, I’m sharing a remarkable memory of Downtown Wabash on a freezing December day. 

I grabbed my oldest son early from the Wabash Friends Church Daycare Center for a trip Downtown on Miami Street for the first-ever Rotary-Sponsored ice skating rink. In that Hallmark moment, we had Modoc’s hot chocolate, Christmas music playing and my son and I skating on the street in Downtown. My son still talks about this skating memory to this day. At that moment, my world stood still and I could experience that Hallmark moment with my son! That unforgettable memory was made possible by the community of Wabash.

I am in awe of the heart and vision of this town! My family makes a Christmas activity list, as they do most of the Hallmark Christmas movies, and luckily for us, Wabash helps us check off our list every year.

We have seen performances at the Honeywell Center, had our girl’s shopping trip among many small businesses in the Downtown District, checked out the Charley Creek Inn Wine & Cheese Bar, enjoyed the kids play area at the Wabash County Museum and had our weekly dose of espresso and hot chocolate from Modoc’s.

Wabash has the heart of a small town but the vigor, atmosphere and opportunities of a big city; take it from the girl who moved back from Chicago!

For me, the saying is true at least, “home is where the heart is,” or where your people are! I am and continue to be eternally grateful to all those who make this small town so special. The Green Family will continue to live out our Hallmark experiences here in Wabash with the people we love!