There have always been certain places in my life that I just felt like I belonged…that it was where I was supposed to be. I always knew I would move back to North Carolina, no matter how many places I moved to in the meantime. But the first place I knew was a space I’d return to was Williamsburg, Virginia.
Even as a young teenager, the first time I saw the campus of William & Mary I knew that was where I wanted to be. So it probably won’t surprise you that when I started imagining a college for my guys where they could learn to be themselves and be happy, I always pictured that campus in my head.
I’ve taken a lot of liberties with the town and the surrounding area, but it’s the feel of the college and the way the town spreads out around it that I love and wanted to give to my guys.
I got a chance this week to walk through Williamsburg and the college again, this time showing it to my teenage kids, and that feeling came rushing back. It was wonderful getting to soak up that feeling again, even if my kids don’t really understand. However, they humored me and we had a great time so I have no complaints.
But as we walked around the mostly deserted campus, I couldn’t help but picture how my guys would look there…Kevin running across campus because he was late or Bryan hiding out between some of the buildings just because he needed a break…and Cody wandering between the buildings with his head in the clouds.
They’re all so very real to me, and I can’t help but think that some of that realness is because I’ve always imagined them in one of my favorite places.
Pictures in this post are from my recent trip to campus, and although I’ve taken a lot of liberties with the town, I hope you enjoy seeing where I imagine them wandering around.
William and Mary College is featured in three of my series:
The Loving Series, a slow burn incest taboo between loving brothers. Read Book 1, Too Close to Love.
The Pieces Series, a best friends to lovers age play story. Check out book one, His Missing Pieces.
The Embrace Series, a slow burn threesome romance featuring a nervous professor and his loving Daddy. Here’s book one: Embracing Faith.
Share in the comments below: Have you been to William and Mary College? Can you picture any of my guys hanging out on campus? If you’re an author, share real life locations that have inspired you!
