The Familiar Will Always Be Familiar

Finding Solace in the Most Familiar Spaces

A few weeks ago, my family as my family and I were wrapping up a vacation to the Sunshine State; we stopped in at LoadDepot Park to watch the Miami Marlins take on the Cincinnati Reds. In our house, we love baseball and cheer for the Orioles. Full stop. But given the chance to watch a professional baseball game as we wrapped up a vacation interrupted by a hurricane, we could not say no.

We parked our rental car in a lot across from the stadium and made the 100-yard walk to the gates. As we crossed the street, the typical sights, sounds, and smells of the ballpark overtook us. The parking attendant wore an orange vest with the same tattered orange flag to direct cars to their spots. There was a police officer directing traffic so pedestrians could safely cross the street. As we walked to the main gate of LoanDepot Park, security officers instructed guests on how to move through the metal detectors. Then, ticket scanners were beeping, scanning tickets as guests entered the park.

When we arrived at the escalator, I realized I had been there before—not specifically in LoanDepot Park or to watch the Miami Marlins play baseball, but in this space. The sights, sounds, and smells were like I was walking down Eutaw Street in Baltimore or Half Street in Washington, D.C. The logos on the uniforms were different, the concession stands sold Pepsi instead of Coca-Cola, and the local advertisements on the outfield wall were different. Still, I had been here before, I thought.

As I've come to understand, core memories are a set of memories that hold a special place in our hearts. They are not just any memories but those that are considered to be more emotionally valuable and can significantly impact how we feel and see the world.